AP Lit Practice Questions on Frankenstein: Gothic Elements and Romanticism

📚 Topic Summary

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a cornerstone of both Gothic literature and Romanticism. Gothic elements include themes of darkness, decay, the supernatural, and psychological distress. Romanticism emphasizes emotion, individualism, the power of nature, and the sublime. In Frankenstein, these elements intertwine to explore the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of playing God.

🖋️ Part A: Vocabulary

Match the term with its definition:

1. Sublime
2. Gothic
3. Romanticism
4. Doppelganger
5. Supernatural

Definitions:

1. A literary and artistic movement emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature.
2. A genre characterized by darkness, horror, and the macabre.
3. Beyond the laws of nature; attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding.
4. Something that inspires awe and wonder, often associated with nature's grandeur.
5. A double or alter ego, often representing the dark side of a character.

(Match the numbers 1-5 with the correct definition.)

✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the list: nature, sublime, monster, isolation, ambition.

Victor Frankenstein's overwhelming ___________ leads him to create a __________. This act, driven by a desire to surpass __________, results in his own _________ and a confrontation with the _________.

🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking

How does the creature in Frankenstein embody both Gothic and Romantic characteristics? Provide specific examples from the text.