The Gothic genre of literature is a popular and influential one, spanning centuries of literature. Some of the most famous Gothic novels include Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818), Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897), Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights (1847), and Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto (1764). These novels all share certain elements, such as strong emotion, suspense, and the supernatural. Gothic novels like these explore themes such as the fear of the unknown, man’s relationship with nature, and the power of the human mind. Other acclaimed works in the genre are Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories and works such as J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla (1872) and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre (1847). Though typically focused on horror, Gothic literature also includes elements of romance, and is a genre that is often open to reader interpretation.
