The term 'Gothic' relates to a few concepts: The sinister, the supernatural, horror and Medieval Architecture.
Gothic typically refers to ideas around the Victorian era, although this is not exclusive.
The definition behind Gothic relates to the re-occurring ideas seen in Gothic Horror. Most Gothic Horror novels are set in castles or Monistrys with the descriptions involving architecture of a Medieval nature, which we are now still accustomed to finding unnerving in modern day society. Typically, key protagonists of the Gothic Genre are of a supernatural nature and ideas that are iconic even in books or films today (e.g Vampires and the hit 'Twilight' book and film series).
The Gothic genre is not purely visual, it forces the reader or viewer to become immersed in the psychological issues that is depicts. Re-occurring psychological themes include the fear of being trapped - whether that is physically or within one's self. The idea of being buried alive, a common fear, is often addressed in the Gothic Horror genre.
The fear of being out of control of your actions and/or having your self altered by drugs or a supernatural being. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a good example of this fear being played, where you have an inner evil inside yourself. Dracula presents the idea of being controlled by another being.
A clashing of past and present is often used in the Gothic genre - whether that be the outdated architecture or curses and creatures from the past that effect the present.
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