Liminality is the physical process of transitioning across boundaries and borders.

The state of being strong and full of life.

When a person inflicts harm on another because they, themselves have been harmed by that person previously.

'Frankenstein' and the Gothic context

English

In 'A Monster Within', pupils explore extracts from Gothic fiction. In 'Gothic Poetry', pupils apply this learning to the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe.

In 'The Twisted Tree', pupils are introduced to the Gothic genre. In 'A Monster Within', pupils explore Gothic motifs in a range of more challenging texts.

A monster within: reading and writing Gothic fiction

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of distress or humiliation e.g. bullying.

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

{{ }} is the boundary between two opposing states. 

it represents purgatory - the state between heaven and hell.

it represents actions and consequences and what lies between.

it is almost half dead and half alive - it is like a living corpse.

it represents Victor's scientific success - he is on the cusp of discovery.

The Creature in 'Frankenstein' represents liminality because...

{{ }} is the violation of a rule, law or boundary.

wishing for the destruction of his creation

Which of the following are Victor's acts of transgression in 'Frankenstein'?

the line between good and evil is clearly-defined

it is easy to be a good person in an evil world

the line between good and evil is blurry 

evil people are often not born that way - they are shaped by their experiences

people are always good, monsters are always bad

What does Shelley try to teach us about good and evil in 'Frankenstein'?

"shrivelled complexion and straight black lips"

Which quotation from 'Frankenstein' best portrays the Creature as a liminal being? 

Complete the sentence: Mary {{ }} wrote the novel 'Frankenstein'.

Which of the following Gothic conventions do we see in the narrative of 'Frankenstein'?

Which of the following themes do we often see in Gothic literature?

How does Victor Frankenstein reject his creation in 'Frankenstein'?

Which of the following words does Victor use in his narrative to describe the Creature in 'Frankenstein'?

he means that the Creature was so beautiful he looked sculpted

he means that the Creature was so amusing that he could have been in a comedy

he means that the Creature was so ugly it could have been in a circus

he means that the Creature was so frightful it looked like it belonged in hell

he means that the Creature was so divine it could belong in heaven

In 'Frankenstein', what does Victor Frankenstein mean when he states that the Creature "became a thing such as even Dante could not have conceived"?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

'Frankenstein' and the Gothic context

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.