What are the main characteristics of Gothic literature?

Gothic literature is a genre of literature that combines elements of horror, death, and romance. The Gothic literature movement began in the late 18th century in Europe and was popularized by writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, and Bram Stoker. Gothic literature often explores dark themes and includes supernatural elements such as ghosts, vampires, and werewolves.

Some of the main characteristics of Gothic literature include:

• Setting: Gothic literature is often set in eerie and isolated locations, such as a haunted castle or an old mansion.
• Mood: Gothic literature is known for creating a sense of terror or dread in the reader through the use of dark and foreboding imagery.
• Characters: Gothic literature often features characters that are mysterious or have a hidden past. These characters may be supernatural, like ghosts or vampires, or human characters with a dark past or a sinister agenda.
• Supernatural Elements: As mentioned before, Gothic literature often includes supernatural elements, such as ghosts, vampires, and other monsters.
• Death and Decay: Gothic literature frequently deals with themes of death, decay, and destruction.
• Romanticism: Gothic literature is often associated with the Romantic movement, which emphasized emotion, imagination, and individualism.