Bleak setting

The setting is dark, gloomy, and dank. (Ex. Fall Of The House Of Usher)

Tortured characters

Answer: The characters have a terrible backstory, or are currently facing difficult problems in life. (Ex. Boo Radley)

Strange or violent plot

Answer: The plot involves strange and dark elements such as death or violence. (Ex. The Crucible)

Dramatic descriptions

Answer: Use of very descriptive, dark language to paint a clear picture in the reader's mind. (Ex. The Raven)

Gloomy mood

Answer: Reading the story invokes an emotion of sadness or unease in the reader. Often uses a death to do so. (Ex. The Tell-Tale Heart)

Recurring symbolism

Answer: Events that happen more than once and have an implied meaning of something deeper (Ex. TKAB, "one-shot Finch", the dog)