Characteristics of Gothic Literature

Gothic Fiction Gothic fiction is a genre associated with the mystery and intrigue surrounding the supernatural and the unknown. 18th century Characteristics: death and decay, haunted homes/castles, family curses, madness, powerful love/romance, the paranormal.

Contemporary Gothic Film Dracula Bride of Frankenstein Crimson Peak Interview with a Vampire Sleepy Hollow Corpse Bride Sweeny Todd American Horror Story Phantom of the Opera

Elements of Gothic fiction Mystery Some like the chase. Some like the thrill of the unknown. Some live for the moment they find out their guess was right on the money. Most love the surprise. Poe is the father of the Detective story. Setting as a character Drafty monasteries, windy moors, subterranean passageways, rotting mansions, dark castles at the top of the hill with lightning streaking across the sky: it's just your friendly Gothic neighborhood. Often, that setting is a main player in the story. The setting in a story can mirror psychological or emotional conflicts within other characters and serve as an important symbol.

The Supernatural and the Sublime Vampires, ghosts, demons, (oh my!)— those dudes and other monsters got their big break in Gothic fiction. Beyond the fun of playing with the paranormal, Gothic texts went all supernatural in order to reach an emotional pinnacle they considered the sublime—an indescribable feeling of terror (and sometimes joy). Needless to say, developing mood through tone was pretty important to these writers.

Foreshadowing Omens: or portents, visions, etc.—often foreshadow events to come. They can take many forms, such as dreams. Function as a technique of suspense. Examples from “Masque of the Red Death” The chiming of the clock The black room The feeling of unease The masked figure

Source http://www.shmoop.com/gothic-literature/characteristics.html