Question 134·Medium·Central Ideas and Details
The following text is from Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.”
I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.
Based on the passage, how does the narrator feel after completing his work?
For central idea and tone questions in literature passages, first locate the exact sentence or phrase the question points to (here, the moment “now that I had finished”). Identify key emotion or attitude words in that section, decide whether the overall feeling is positive, negative, or neutral, and then eliminate any answer choices that do not match that tone. Finally, choose the option that most directly restates or best captures the specific feelings expressed in the text, without adding new ideas not supported by the passage.
Hints
Focus on the time frame
Reread the part of the sentence that starts with “but now that I had finished.” That is where the narrator describes his feelings at the moment the work is done.
Pay attention to key emotion words
Look closely at the words and phrases that describe his emotional reaction (for example, any words that describe fear, joy, disgust, or calmness). Are they positive, negative, or neutral?
Compare tone and answer choices
Once you decide if his feelings are positive, negative, or neutral, cross out any answer choices that clearly do not match that overall tone.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what moment the question is asking about
The question asks, “Based on the passage, how does the narrator feel after completing his work?” So you should focus on the sentence that describes his feelings after he finishes, not on his feelings during the two years of work.
Find the key evidence about his feelings
Look at the final part of the passage: “but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” The important phrases are:
- “the beauty of the dream vanished”
- “breathless horror and disgust filled my heart”
These phrases clearly show a strong negative reaction.
Decide if his reaction is positive, neutral, or negative
Ask: Is “horror and disgust” a positive, neutral, or negative emotion?
- “Horror” and “disgust” are very strong negative emotions.
- They are the opposite of being excited or pleased.
- He is not calm or unconcerned; his heart is “filled” with these strong negative feelings.
Match the evidence to the best answer choice
Now compare each answer to the idea of “horror and disgust” after completing his work:
- Positive excitement or satisfaction does not fit.
- Neutral, uncaring feelings do not fit.
- Wanting to keep improving would suggest focus or determination, not horror.
The only answer that matches his strong negative reaction—“horror and disgust”—is C) He is repulsed by what he has achieved.