Romanticism

The American Gothic

American GothicGothic Tropes

SettingDarkThreateningHauntedDecrepit

American GothicGothic Tropes

CharactersHero versus Villain

(good versus evil)Obscure man

becomes heroGirl in trouble

(damsel in distress)Hero saves girl

American GothicGothic Tropes

SpecterUglyScarySupernatural or

naturalPowerfulSeemingly

unstoppable

American GothicGothic Tropes

Theme(s)Reveals the secret sins

and hidden desires of individuals and society

Reveals factors/situations that might cause the destabilization of society, or the breakdown of the status quoExamples: Greed, lust,

revenge