Do you like books that have monsters, vampires, spooky old buildings, mystery, villains, and a little romance? If so, you are a fan of Gothic writing!
If your teacher requires that you read or comment on a Gothic theme, he or she is talking about a certain dark and foreboding mood that is present because of one or more of these mysterious elements.
If you're looking for a good book with Gothic elements, you should check out the following classics:
- Jane Eyre: This novel contains madness, emotional torment, old buildings, mystery, and romance.
- Rebecca: A gloomy estate, haunting presence of a former wife, lies, mystery, and, of course, romance are present in this classic.
- To Kill a Mockingbird: Dark and mysterious characters, racism, revenge, and crime set the stage, but other elements include a spooky house, the Great Depression, and a sleepy Alabama town.
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Monsters, foggy weather, madness, and murder give this dark novel a classic Gothic tone.
- Hunchback of Notre Dame: This book includes a monstrous character, black magic, torture, historic cathedral, and tormented love.
- The Picture of Dorian Gray: An English estate, sin, corruption, supernatural events, murder, and, of course, love--all the requisite features are present.
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles: This work contains ancient nobility, a dark mansion, a young beauty doomed by betrayal, and murder.
- Wuthering Heights: A dark and ancient manor, betrayal, secrecy, tormented characters, and a few bizarre twists of fate give this a mysterious and gloomy tone.
- Frankenstein: Monsters, murder, revenge, and mystery in ancient Europe: what else could you ask for in a Gothic novel?
- Dracula: A dark journey to an ancient castle sets the tone for this vampire story. And then the plot thickens!
