All 15 Uses of
compose
in
Frankenstein
- You may remember that a history of all the voyages made for purposes of discovery composed the whole of our good Uncle Thomas' library.
Chpt Intr. (definition 1) *composed = made up
- Such words, you may imagine, strongly excited my curiosity; but the paroxysm of grief that had seized the stranger overcame his weakened powers, and many hours of repose and tranquil conversation were necessary to restore his composure.
Chpt Intr. (definition 2)composure = control of emotions
- Were we among the tamer scenes of nature I might fear to encounter your unbelief, perhaps your ridicule; but many things will appear possible in these wild and mysterious regions which would provoke the laughter of those unacquainted with the ever-varied powers of nature; nor can I doubt but that my tale conveys in its series internal evidence of the truth of the events of which it is composed.
Chpt Intr. (definition 1)composed = made up
- He composed heroic songs and began to write many a tale of enchantment and knightly adventure.
Chpt 2 (definition 3) *composed = wrote
- Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room and continued a long time traversing my bed-chamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep.
Chpt 5 (definition 2) *compose = calm
- You will repay me entirely if you do not discompose yourself, but get well as fast as you can; and since you appear in such good spirits, I may speak to you on one subject, may I not?
Chpt 5 (definition 2)discompose = unsettle (make nervous or uncomfortable)standard prefix: The prefix "dis-" in discompose reverses the meaning of compose. This is the same pattern as seen in words like disagree, disconnect, and disappear.
- "Compose yourself," said Clerval, who observed my change of colour, "I will not mention it if it agitates you; but your father and cousin would be very happy if they received a letter from you in your own handwriting."
Chpt 5 (definition 2)compose = calm
- I examined the materials of the fire, and to my joy found it to be composed of wood.
Chpt 11 (definition 1)composed = made up
- I found that I could not compose a female without again devoting several months to profound study and laborious disquisition.
Chpt 18 (definition 1)compose = create by arranging parts
- But the fresh air and bright sun seldom failed to restore me to some degree of composure, and on my return I met the salutations of my friends with a readier smile and a more cheerful heart.
Chpt 18 (definition 2)composure = a calm state of mind
- The sleep into which I now sank refreshed me; and when I awoke, I again felt as if I belonged to a race of human beings like myself, and I began to reflect upon what had passed with greater composure; yet still the words of the fiend rang in my ears like a death-knell; they appeared like a dream, yet distinct and oppressive as a reality.
Chpt 20 (definition 2)composure = calm (in control of emotions)
- By the utmost self-violence I curbed the imperious voice of wretchedness, which sometimes desired to declare itself to the whole world, and my manners were calmer and more composed than they had ever been since my journey to the sea of ice.
Chpt 22 (definition 2)
- I was hurried away by fury; revenge alone endowed me with strength and composure; it moulded my feelings and allowed me to be calculating and calm at periods when otherwise delirium or death would have been my portion.
Chpt 24 (definition 2)composure = control of emotions
- The only joy that he can now know will be when he composes his shattered spirit to peace and death.
Chpt 24 (definition 2)composes = calms (with acceptance)
- The surgeon gave him a composing draught and ordered us to leave him undisturbed.
Chpt 24 (definition 2)composing = calming
Definitions:
-
(1) (compose as in: composed of many parts) to create something by arranging parts; or to be those parts
-
(2) (compose as in: compose myself) to calm someone or settle something
-
(3) (compose as in: compose a poem) to write or create something with care -- especially music or a literary work, but could be other things as diverse as a plan or a letter