Gothic Fiction Characters

NOTE: May not always look like the above; can have a "physical" form, too.

Associated Plot Devices: death, physical decay, curse-breaking, getting lost, dark side of human nature, supernatural, some sort of curse/prophecy/vendetta

Common Settings: graveyard/cemetery, haunted places, abandoned places

• Ghost

• Monster

• Zombie

• Abomination

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.4

NOTE: Sometimes, they can be good, too, but they're often portrayed as creepy.

Associated Plot Devices: vendetta, harmful stranger, mystery, dark magic, threats, dark side of human nature

Common Setting(s): haunted/abandoned locations, pops up out of nowhere, castle, confusing places, basement, attic.

• Damsel in distress

• Monster

• Old man

• Hero

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.4

A deformed being who should never have been born; come in all shapes and sizes—human-like, disgusting and grotesque, brute strength, warped intelligence; may attack any available victim, or wish to protect something of value. Examples include werewolves, vampires, mummies, abominations, etc.

• Zombies

• Monsters

• Old Man

• Damsel in distress

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.9

NOTE: Frequently found in the woods/beginning of a story to launch the hero on their journey.

Associated Plot Devices: physical decay, dark magic, death, mystery, threats, curse-breaking

Common Setting(s): graveyards/cemeteries, abandoned locations, hidden places (like a creepy dungeon, maze), the woods at night, castles, dungeons, tunnels, caves

• Old Man

• Monsters

• Zombies

• Skeletons

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.9

NOTE: Oftentimes, they pop up suddenly as a jump-scare technique

Associated Plot Devices: curse-breaking, supernatural, physical decay, dark magic

Common Setting(s): haunted/abandoned places, graveyards, cemeteries, hidden places, confusing places

• Mummies

• Zombies

• Monsters

• Skeletons

NOTE: Often kidnapped or taken

Associated Plot Devices: romance, threats, dark magic, vendetta, prophecy, curse-breaking, dark side of human nature

Common Setting(s): haunted/abandoned locations, basement/attic, dark towers, dungeons

• Damsel in distress

• Hero/heroine

• "Final" character

• Old man

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.9

NOTE: engaged in a test of wits and strength; must somehow meet and conquer the superhuman horrible figure

Associated Plot Devices: curse-breaking, traveling, ascent/descent, dark magic, threats, vendetta/prophecy, getting lost

Common Setting(s): found in all things creepy and gothic.

• Antagonist

• Hero/heroine

• Monster

• Old man

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.3

NOTE: The last character left; most commonly a female character

Associated Plot Devices: threats, prophecy, getting lost, mystery

Common Setting(s): basement/attic, confusing places (like a maze or labyrinth), castle, graveyard, haunted/abandoned places

• Damsel in distress

• Hero/heroine

• "Final" character

• Antagonist

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.3

NOTE: Usually considered the "villain" of the story; someone standing in the hero's/protagonist's way

Associated Plot Devices: vendetta/curse, supernatural, harmful stranger, getting lost, dark side of human nature, threats, prophecy

Common Setting(s): castle, remote locations, confusing places, haunted/abandoned places

• "Final" character

• Old man

• Monster

• Antagonist

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.3