There are four main aspects that help categorize a novel as Gothic. These characteristics include a gloomy setting, specific character types, themes revolving around terror, horror, justice, and revenge, and the concept of good and evil.

With terror, there's a sense of mystery and wonder, an anxiety and fear from suspense the emotion is psychological and comes from within. With gothic horror, the reader is confronted with mutilated bodies, rape, and other appalling subjects that cause a more physical reaction of revulsion and disgust.