For example, if the statue of the lord of the manor falls over, it may portend his death. Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events. In some works, the events are ultimately given a natural explanation, while in others the events are truly supernatural. High, even overwrought emotion. The narration may be highly sentimental, and the characters are often overcome by anger, sorrow, surprise, and especially, terror.
Characters suffer from raw nerves and a feeling of impending doom.
Crying and emotional speeches are frequent. Breathlessness and panic are common. Women in distress. A lonely, pensive, and oppressed heroine is often the central figure of the novel, so her sufferings are even more pronounced and the focus of attention. Women threatened by a powerful, impulsive, tyrannical male.