Adapted from an article on About.com, using with Poe's "The Raven" and "The Fall of the House of Usher."

1. Adapted from Robert Vaux

2. Gothic fiction began in England in the late
18th/ early 19th century. Soon, it spread to
other parts of the world, especially the
United States
 It falls in the realm of Romantic literature,
where faith in the senses, feelings, and
imagination were emphasized.
 Gothic literature is often darker and more
tragic than other Romantic works of the
period.


3. • Often set in old, rundown structures
(especially castles or great country
manors)
• Buildings usually feature hidden
passages, trap doors, dungeons or
secret rooms, and has suffered a decline
from its former greatness.

4. • The area around the setting, the
environment, reflects a bleak or
foreboding atmosphere:
• Dark forests, imposing mountains,
stormy weather or areas far away from
civilization

5. • Gothic literature stresses an atmosphere
of mystery, horror and dread. The plot
involves hidden secrets which threaten
the protagonist.

6. • Usually isolated or alone
• Isolation can come in different forms
(physical or emotional) and may be selfimposed or a result of circumstances beyond
their control

7. • Story contains many intense emotions
(like Romantic literature)
• Characters are often passionate and
strong-willed, defying others or even
their own common sense in pursuit of
their goals.
• Women are often curious and have a
tendency to swoon
• Men storm and rage in reflection of
unseen inner torments.

8. • A woman is threatened by tyrannical
men or by the circumstances in which
they find themselves.
• They often appear frightened and may
suffer from some kind of ailment.

9. • Ominous implications precede dark
events
• Unlucky omens appear, ancient curses
linger in the air,
• Dark forces beyond the hero's control
thwart his ambitions

10. • Ghosts and unexplained manifestations
often appear
• Sometimes, these elements have a
rational explanation, but the implication
always suggests something not of this
world.

11. • The overall impression of a Gothic world
is one of decay: a formerly great family,
community, country or individual who has
peaked and now begins a slow process
of decline.
• This appears both in the landscape
(crumbling buildings) and in the
characters themselves

12. • Events in Gothic literature emphasize high
emotion and often reflect a heightened sense of
drama.
• Murders, kidnappings, people going mad and
tragic illnesses are par for the course.
Adapted from: http://www.ehow.com/info_8104633_10-elements-gothicliterature.html#ixzz2hnPj0Phv