What are the characteristics of novels in the list of feminist gothic novels?

One characteristic is the use of gloomy settings. For example, many have old, dilapidated castles like in 'Dracula'.

Most of them focus on female protagonists. For example, in 'The Awakening' by Kate Chopin, the main character Edna struggles against the constraints of her society. They often deal with issues like gender inequality, women's rights, and the fight for female autonomy.

Many of these novels are also characterized by their exploration of hybrid identities. Women in postcolonial settings often have to navigate between different cultures - the culture of their colonizers and their own native culture. This leads to a complex identity formation that these novels often explore. For instance, in novels set in South Asian postcolonial contexts, women may be influenced by Western ideas of feminism while also being deeply rooted in their own traditional cultural values, and the novels show how they negotiate these different aspects to form their own unique identities.

Typically, they have a spooky or eerie atmosphere. For example, in many of these novels, the settings like old mansions or abandoned asylums contribute to this.

They often have a southern setting. For example, they might be set in a small, decaying southern town. They usually deal with dark themes like death, decay, and family secrets.

Another one is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. The unnamed female narrator is constantly in the shadow of the mysterious Rebecca. Through her journey, it explores themes of female identity and the power dynamics between men and women in a gothic setting.

The settings are usually in the South, with its unique landscapes and social hierarchies. There is also an element of the supernatural or the grotesque. In 'Beloved', the ghostly presence of Beloved herself adds to the gothic atmosphere. These novels use all these elements to create a distinct southern gothic feel.

Matthew Lewis's 'The Monk' is a gothic novel. It delves into themes of temptation, sin, and the supernatural within the walls of a monastery. It contains elements such as a diabolical pact, sexual transgressions, and a general atmosphere of moral decay, which are characteristic of gothic literature.

Another famous one is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. This novel features the iconic vampire Count Dracula, with a dark and spooky atmosphere set in Transylvania and England. It also has elements of horror, the unknown, and the battle between good and evil. The descriptions of the vampire's powers and the fear it instills in the characters are very engaging.

Characteristics of famous gothic novels include an atmosphere of gloom and doom. In 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', the moral decay of the characters creates this feeling. Female characters are often in distress or have a certain allure combined with vulnerability. In 'Carmilla', the female vampire preys on other women. There is also a sense of the uncanny, where things seem familiar yet strange. Gothic novels might also have elements of madness, as seen in 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', where the transformation between the two personalities can be seen as a form of madness.