1. One of the points I am noting is that gothic usually includes “a pushing of extremes and excess (cruelty, rapacity, fear, passion and sexual degradation” (Page 5)

2. The gothic often explores concepts of religious profanities, demonism, occultism, incest, etc. Which could be perceived as “the dark side of enlightenment free-thinking” (Page 6)

3. In gothic stories, extreme states and actions can usually correlate with fears and social anxieties which may stem as a reaction to concealed traumas and guilts that have been suppressed. (Page 6-7)

4. Setting in American gothic stories is oftentimes used as both a metaphor and the representation of itself (such as mountains). Landscapes were usually focused on the “inhuman and pitiless” of mountains, wastelands, etc. (Page 7)

5. American gothic stories usually showcase social, political, and class fears. For instance, some stories may include the general distaste of collective groups such as homosexuals, Indians, Asians, etc. (Page 9).