Gothic literature has long fascinated readers with its exploration of fear, passion, and the human psyche. These works grapple with timeless questions: What drives us to seek forbidden knowledge? How do love and obsession shape our choices? And what happens when the past refuses to stay buried?
At the heart of the Gothic literary tradition are its complex, unforgettable characters. They wrestle with moral dilemmas, confront hidden truths, and navigate the blurred boundaries between reason and madness.
Take our quiz to discover which iconic character from classic Gothic literature best reflects your personality and prepare to peer into the dark corners of your own story!
1. Which of these Gothic settings appeals most to you?
- A - A deserted university
- B - A desolate landscape
- C - A remote castle
- D - A secluded cemetery
- E - A stormy coast
- F - A foreboding manor
2. You discover a dark secret about someone close to you. You …
- A - Keep their secret but investigate further on your own.
- B - Confront them, no matter the risk.
- C - Use the knowledge to your advantage.
- D - Withdraw and wrestle with the truth privately.
- E - Try to fix the situation, even if it’s hopeless.
- F - Obsess over it until you’re consumed.
3. Which of these phrases resonates the most with you?
- A - “I’m not a monster … am I?”
- B - “I will not be deceived.”
- C - “I must protect others from the darkness.”
- D - “The truth is never simple.”
- E - “I’m still trying to find my place.”
- F - “My family’s past haunts my every step.”
4. A stranger knocks on your door during a nasty storm. You …
- A - Invite them in with no hesitation.
- B - Question them thoroughly before deciding.
- C - Ignore them—they could be dangerous.
- D - Feel oddly drawn to them despite your reservations.
- E - Welcome the distraction from your own thoughts.
- F - Suspect they might be part of a larger mystery.
5. What drives you most?
- A - A longing for love and acceptance
- B - A demand for power and control
- C - A fierce sense of duty and justice
- D - A desperate need to be understood
- E - A relentless curiosity about hidden truths
- F - A fear of losing control over your destiny
6. A mysterious figure offers you forbidden knowledge. Do you accept it?
- A - Of course! New discoveries are worth any risk.
- B - Yes, if it will help me protect those I care about.
- C - Maybe, but only after careful investigation.
- D - No. It’s taboo for a reason.
- E - I’m tempted, but I fear what it might reveal about me.
- F - Absolutely not. I’ve seen too much ruin come from secrets.
7. How do you respond to betrayal?
- A - With sorrow. I wonder if I drove them away.
- B - With fury. I’ll make them regret crossing me!
- C - With logic. I analyze what went wrong and learn from it.
- D - With obsession. I replay the betrayal over and over.
- E - With resilience. I pick myself up and move forward.
- F - With despair. Trust is something I might never offer again.
8. What role does love play in your life?
- A - It’s what I crave most, though it often eludes me.
- B - It’s the source of my greatest joy and deepest pain.
- C - It’s a distraction from my duty.
- D - It’s a mystery. I question if I deserve it.
- E - It’s my anchor. Without it, I’d lose myself.
- F - It’s dangerous. It makes people reckless and weak.
Tally up your answers to find your Gothic match!
Mostly A's
You’re the Creature from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein! You crave connection and belonging, but the world doesn’t always see past appearances. Under your tough exterior lies a sensitive soul who feels things deeply—injustice, loneliness, love, and betrayal most of all. Your curiosity pushes you to question everything, even your own nature.
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Mostly B's
You’re Heathcliff from Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights! You feel emotions at full strength. When you care, you care with your whole soul, and when you’re hurt, you don’t forget. Some might call you brooding, but deep inside, your heart longs for love. You’re driven by your convictions and aren’t afraid to defy convention, even if it means standing alone.
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Mostly C's
You’re Abraham Van Helsing from Bram Stoker’s Dracula! A natural protector and seeker of truth, you’re willing to face the darkness if it means safeguarding others. People trust you for your intelligence and your unwavering moral compass. But beneath your bravery lies deep compassion. You fight not for glory, but because you must.
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Mostly D's
You’re the Governess from Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw! You trust your instincts and feel a deep responsibility to protect those around you, even when the truth is clouded and uncertain. Sometimes your empathy makes you question your own judgment, but it’s also what drives you to do what’s right.
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Mostly E's
You’re the Second Mrs. de Winter from Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca! You may sometimes doubt yourself or compare your worth to others, but beneath that uncertainty lies courage. You grow stronger with each challenge you face, discovering that your true power lies not in being like anyone else, but in embracing your own voice.
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Mostly F's
You’re Roderick Usher from Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”! You feel the pulse of history in everything you do, and your sensitivity makes you attuned to things others overlook. At times, that feeling can turn into anxiety, but it also fuels your creativity. You’re drawn to the beauty and tragedy of the past, even as you struggle to break free from its grip.
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