Discover published sets by community

Nightmares and dream sequences often reveal characters' subconscious fears or premonitions, blurring the line between fantasy and reality. Examples: 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley and 'The Monk' by Matthew Gregory Lewis.

Themes of death and the decay of bodies, buildings, and morals pervade Gothic literature, highlighting the transient nature of life. Examples: 'The Tell-Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe and 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker.

Characters often descend into madness, which contributes to the unsettling atmosphere and questions the nature of reality. Examples: 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis.

Characters or settings with a secret or mysterious past that is revealed gradually to the reader. Examples: 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Brontë and 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde.

Characters may be mistaken for others, leading to plot twists and an increased sense of mystery. Examples: 'The Mysteries of Udolpho' by Ann Radcliffe and 'Northanger Abbey' by Jane Austen (satire).

Gothic literature often includes themes of morality, sin, and salvation, sometimes depicted through the corruption of religious figures. Examples: 'The Monk' by Matthew Gregory Lewis and 'Melmoth the Wanderer' by Charles Maturin.

Ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural entities often feature prominently, serving to invoke fear and uncertainty. Examples: 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker and 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley.

A character's double or alter-ego, often representing a division within the self or a foreboding omen. Examples: 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson and 'William Wilson' by Edgar Allan Poe.

A mood or feeling of uncertainty and anticipation about what may happen, often achieved through complex plot twists and dark settings. Examples: 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier and 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë.

A common setting in Gothic novels, often representing decay and entrapment, and serving as a backdrop for supernatural occurrences. Examples: 'The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Walpole and 'The Fall of the House of Usher' by Edgar Allan Poe.

A character, often of noble descent, whose evil deeds and manipulative behavior are central to the plot. Examples: 'The Italian' by Ann Radcliffe and 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde.

These suggest that fate has a hand in the events of the story and can foreshadow doom. Examples: 'The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Walpole and 'Melmoth the Wanderer' by Charles Maturin.

Use of metonymy to symbolize doom and gloom, such as references to the elements, weather, or time of day. Examples: 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Brontë and 'The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Walpole.

A female character who is vulnerable and requires rescuing, typically by the story's hero. Examples: 'The Monk' by Matthew Gregory Lewis and 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu.

A character type that is brooding, rebellious, and often has a dark past, typically possessing both appealing and repulsive traits. Examples: 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage' by Lord Byron and 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë (Mr. Rochester).

The idea that nature will avenge the wrongs done to it by humans or reflect the tumult within the human characters. Examples: 'The White People' by Arthur Machen and 'The Flowers of Evil' by Charles Baudelaire.

Characters may seek or obtain knowledge or abilities that are not meant for human access, often with dire consequences. Examples: 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley and 'The Island of Dr Moreau' by H.G. Wells.

Characters are often physically or emotionally isolated from society, enhancing the sense of helplessness or despair. Examples: 'The Fall of the House of Usher' by Edgar Allan Poe and 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier.

A female character who is both seductive and dangerous, leading male characters into perilous situations. Examples: 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu and 'The Monk' by Matthew Gregory Lewis.

The setting is intricately described, often emphasizing the dismal and frightening aspects to set the tone. Examples: 'The Mysteries of Udolpho' by Ann Radcliffe and 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Brontë.

Intense emotions and romantic elements are often intertwined with the horror, underscoring the depth of characters' experiences. Examples: 'The Romance of the Forest' by Ann Radcliffe and 'The Phantom of the Opera' by Gaston Leroux.

Maze-like structures, such as complex estates or gardens, symbolize the complexity and entrapment within plot and character psyche. Examples: 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James and 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco.

Characters are often plagued by a curse or a bad omen passed down through generations. Examples: 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and 'The House of the Seven Gables' by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Inclusion of folk tales, myths, and legends to enhance the otherworldly or ancient atmosphere of the story. Examples: 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker (vampire myth) and 'The Golem' by Gustav Meyrink.