Setting is an important element of the Gothic genre. Typically, a Gothic story will include a castle, abandoned or inhabited. The castle in a modern story may be substituted with an insane asylum or a mansion. Surrounding the castle, asylum or mansion with thick, dark wooded areas or caves is another element. Establishing a creepy, mysterious surround is one of the key criteria for a Gothic writer.
Many Gothic pieces portray the female as terrified and in need of being saved, or as slaves to the male characters, as in Anne Rice's Vampire Lestat stories. While this is approach is a common approach, there is nothing wrong with writing from the opposite angle and creating a strong female lead. The important criterion for the characters in a Gothic story is that they are dark and mysterious, maybe even a little mad. Characters in Gothic stories tend to hide as much of themselves as they reveal. There will typically be a protagonist and an antagonist. The protagonist may be a willing or unwilling participant in the fight against the epitome of evil.
Supernatural events are almost required in the Gothic novel. These events run the gamut from ghosts and hauntings to ancient spirits, vampires and werewolves. These horrific elements are expected by Gothic readers. While blood and gore are not required, some Gothic stories contain dismemberment, human sacrifice and other violent scenes. The main criterion for Gothic stories is that a supernatural element occurs as a central plot device.
The Gothic novel often contains a message or symbolism that states something greater than the story being told. As with Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," one interpretation of the message is that humans aren't God and should not attempt to assume the role. While this is not criteria for a Gothic story, it is frequently seen expressed through metaphors and symbolism.