The novel Rebecca was written by Daphne Du Maurier in 1938. There are many elements that make Rebecca a work of gothic literature. Some of these include the fact that Daphne Du Maurier has used isolation and darkness to create a suspenseful and mysterious atmosphere. The fact that Du Maurier has emphasised the narrators fear of the unknown by creating a supernatural atmosphere through the ghost of Rebecca and her servant Mrs Danvers. Also the way Du Maurier describes the characters and the setting using elements of death successfully make Rebecca a piece of gothic literature.

Rebecca can be classified as a piece of gothic literature because of the way Du Maurier uses isolation in the novel. Du Maurier uses words such as rusted and unkept to suggest that Manderley had not been visited for a while. Du Maurier describes the surrounding nature around Manderely as unkept and untidy. The way Du Maurier describes the nature surrounding Manderley resembles the darkness in human nature. “The trees choked the terrace” Du Maurier uses personification to give human actions to the trees around Manderley. The use of the word choked makes it seem as if the trees around the house are just as evil as the house itself. This gives the reader an image of Manderley which is dark and empty. The numerous dark and empty rooms also help in making Rebecca a piece of gothic literature. The rooms and passages in Manderely create a ominous atmosphere and a sense of foreboding. Du Maurier’s use of adjectives lets the reader see things through the narrators eyes which shows that Manderely is isolated, dark and evil. The narrator uses descriptive words to show the reader that the environment surrounding Manderley is not happy and rather an unhappy and dark one. “The sky above our head was inky black”.

Rebecca focuses greatly on the narrators fear of Rebecca, although she is dead. This can be seen through the ways the staff and the narrator continue to follow Rebecca’s schedule although she is no longer alive is does not live in the house anymore. The presence of Rebecca plays a major role in making the novel a piece of gothic literature. While Rebecca is not in the house, her presence can still be felt everywhere. This is shown when the narrator comes to the ball wearing the same dress that Rebecca wore. While Rebecca is no longer alive, it is still a problem that the young Mrs de Winter has come in the same dress that Rebecca once wore. The narrator is clearly distressed by the presence of Rebecca although she has been dead for over a year. Everyone seems to want to tell the narrator that Rebecca was an extremely exceptional woman except for her husband Maxim de Winter which makes it seem as though he is hiding something. The bedroom in the west wing of Manderely also plays a vital role in highlighting Rebecca’s presence in the house. The way Mrs Danvers spoke about Rebecca in the room creates a tense atmosphere as she is talking so highly of Rebecca. The dark feeling of doom in each chapter of the book is effective in making Rebecca a gothic novel.

Death plays a major role in the novel Rebecca. The narrator describes Mrs Danvers as if she is dead and holds no emotion. Her eyes are described as hollow which suggest that Mrs Danvers shows no emotion and is evil. “Cold and lifeless” are words used to describe Mrs Danvers hands which show readers that Mrs Danvers has a lack of connectedness with the narrator. “In a voice and cold and lifeless as her hand had been.” The use of this simile allows the reader to see that Mrs Danvers is an extremely lifeless character who is not accepting towards the young Mrs de Winter. Du Maurier’s use of adjectives and similes creates imagery and allows the reader to connect with the narrator because the reader is able to see what the narrator sees. The death and lack of life in Mrs Danvers character is important in making Rebecca a work of gothic literature as it foreshadows the evil that will occur as a result of Mrs Danvers actions. The narrators use of adjectives in describing the setting of the novel is also important in making Rebecca a work of gothic literature. “The stillness of the black water.” This creates a dark mood and suggests death as darkness reflects death. The element of death is crucial in setting the scene for the novel Rebecca and describing the characters. This creates a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere which makes Rebecca a gothic novel.

Different gothic tropes evident in the novel Rebecca successfully make the novel a work of gothic literature. Some of these elements include the isolation of the narrator from the Rebecca’s world, the narrators fear of Rebecca’s presence and the death and darkness clearly evident in the novel.