Define the word gothic novel.

A gothic novel is a genre of literature that typically features elements like mystery, horror, and the supernatural. It often has a gloomy or spooky atmosphere, with settings such as old castles, dark forests, or desolate mansions. Gothic novels usually involve complex and tormented characters, and may explore themes like madness, death, and the unknown.

The gothic novel emerged as a distinct genre in the late 18th century. It was part of a literary movement that sought to explore the darker side of human nature and the world. Early gothic novels, like Walpole's 'The Castle of Otranto', were filled with elements of the supernatural and horror. These elements were set against the backdrop of a medieval - like setting. As the 19th century progressed, gothic novels became more refined. They started to blend in with other literary trends. For example, the Bronte sisters' works had strong gothic elements. Their novels used the gothic to explore themes of love, passion, and social class. Gothic novels have continued to influence literature up to the present day, with modern works still using the tropes of mystery, horror, and the supernatural that were first established in the early gothic novels.

Gothic fiction is a literary genre which revolves around certain distinct features. It is known for its use of eerie, decaying settings that create a sense of unease. The themes usually involve the unknown, death, and the power of the past over the present. Gothic novels often incorporate elements like ghosts, vampires, or other supernatural beings. Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' is a prime example of gothic fiction, exploring themes of creation and the consequences of playing God while set against a backdrop of a desolate, storm - swept landscape.

An epistolary novel is a novel written as a series of documents. Usually these documents are letters, but they can also be diary entries, newspaper articles or other forms of written communication. It's a unique form of storytelling that allows the reader to get different perspectives directly from the characters through their own written accounts.

A southern gothic novel often features a dark and mysterious atmosphere, complex characters with hidden secrets, and a focus on themes like family dysfunction and social decay.

Gothic fiction is a genre that has roots in the 18th century. It's characterized by its dark and brooding settings. Think of the spooky mansions with secret passages and creaking floors. There are often elements of the uncanny, like ghosts or vampires. Science fiction is all about the what - ifs of science. What if we could travel faster than light? What if there were intelligent robots? It's a genre that lets the imagination run wild with scientific ideas.

Well, an origin story is basically the tale of the start or genesis of a particular thing. It could be about a person, like how an artist first discovered their passion for art. Or it could be about an idea, perhaps how a scientific theory was first conceived. It's the backstory that gives context to whatever it is we're talking about.

The word goth originated from the ancient Greek gothika, meaning black people. In ancient times, goths were people who liked black, white, and gray clothes and used black and white paint for painting and sculpture. Over time, the word goth gradually evolved to refer to those people or works with mysterious, romantic, and gothic artistic styles. Gothic literature refers to those literary works that are characteristic of the Gothic style, usually with dark, mysterious, and romantic emotional elements such as the Dark Knight, Andersen's fairy tales, Grimm's fairy tales, etc. The origins of Gothic literature can be traced back to the 17th century in Europe, when the Romanticism movement rose and Gothic literature became an important part of Romanticism literature.

The best gothic novels often have certain elements. They usually have a spooky or mysterious setting like a haunted castle or an old, decrepit mansion. For example, in 'Dracula', Castle Dracula is a key element. They also deal with themes like the supernatural, death, and the unknown. Characters might be complex and often tormented, such as Victor Frankenstein in 'Frankenstein'.

The term 'gothic novel' originated in the 18th century in England. It was used to describe a specific type of literature that combined elements of horror, mystery, and romance.