This guide provides an overview of the most significant issues and debates in Gothic studies. <br><ul><br><li>Provides an overview of the most significant issues and debates in Gothic studies. <br><li>Explains the origins and development of the term Gothic. <br><li>Explores the evolution of the Gothic in both literary and non-literary forms, including art, architecture and film. <br><li>Features authoritative readings of key works, ranging from Horace Walpole's <i>The Castle of Otranto</i> to Bret Easton Ellis's <i>American Psycho</i>. <br><li>Considers recurrent concerns of the Gothic such as persecution and paranoia, key motifs such as the haunted castle, and figures such as the vampire and the monster. <br><li>Includes a chronology of key Gothic texts, including fiction and film from the 1760s to the present day, and a comprehensive bibliography. </li></ul>