American Gothic short stories from the 19th century are typically defined by their focus on the macabre, complex characters with hidden secrets, and a sense of foreboding. Settings are often old, decaying, and isolated.
Well, 19th-century American Gothic short stories are characterized by a combination of factors. You'd find creepy atmospheres, maybe a haunted house or a sinister forest. Also, there's often a theme of madness or moral corruption lurking beneath the surface.