-Gothic literature focuses on fear, death, horror, monsters and the supernatural, and natural forces.
-At the centre of the story, there would sometimes be a helpless heroine that needed saving.
-SOUTHERN GOTHIC IS A SUB-GENRE. This means that it sits within the larger gothic genre, and 'southern' refers to the southern states of America. ASND is set in New Orleans- Louisiana, a state in the deep south.
"a literary genre depicting life in the southern us and featuring grotesque themes and imagery"
The Southern Gothic genre plays with a lot of tropes of Gothic literature- the setting may be run down "[atmosphere of decay]" "weathered gray"
The helpless heroine may be presented as a Southern Belle- Blanche Du Bois.
-Themes of crime and violence, poverty, isolation and powerful character's with flaws (Stanley).
-Characters may be heavily oppressed or homeless.