Early gothic works were greatly affected by Gothic-style architecture. The era of Gothic Revival architecture was when Warpole wrote his novel, which kick-started the expansion of the gothic genre. In this era, old, medieval-style buildings such as churches, mansions, castles and run-down cottages were common to find in gothic works. The ruins of these medieval structures represented decay and collapse in gothic novels ("Gothic Fiction"). Further, the medieval style itself "[was seen] as a dark and terrifying period, characterized by harsh laws, enforced by torture, and with mysterious, fantastic and superstitious rituals” ("Gothic Fiction"). This fearsome connotation of medieval times made Gothic architecture all the more influential on gothic literature.
When compared to southern gothic, gothic literature settings carry over. Any sort of run-down, old and perhaps even haunted structure is commonly found in southern gothic novels. While a grand medieval castle may not be found in a novel depicting the American South, a bizarre, abandoned house, a crumbling century-old church or a weathered, unsettling barn on an expanse of open field may be in one or more of the settings of southern gothic novels (Miller). Like forlorn, unusual characters, these creepy settings are used to set an atmosphere for the story, as well as point out the negative parts of southern American culture during that time period (Miller). Several examples of southern gothic settings include lonely plantations, dusty towns and dilapidated slave quarters ("Genre: Southern").
When compared to southern gothic, gothic literature settings carry over. Any sort of run-down, old and perhaps even haunted structure is commonly found in southern gothic novels. While a grand medieval castle may not be found in a novel depicting the American South, a bizarre, abandoned house, a crumbling century-old church or a weathered, unsettling barn on an expanse of open field may be in one or more of the settings of southern gothic novels (Miller). Like forlorn, unusual characters, these creepy settings are used to set an atmosphere for the story, as well as point out the negative parts of southern American culture during that time period (Miller). Several examples of southern gothic settings include lonely plantations, dusty towns and dilapidated slave quarters ("Genre: Southern").