According to virtualsalt.com/gothic.htm, gothic novels have few specific elements in which they believe should be included for a novel to be considered 'gothic'. Some of these elements include:
1. Setting in a castle.
2. An atmosohere of mystery and suspense.
3. An ancient prophechy.
4. Omens, portents, visions.
5. Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events.
6. High, even overwrought emotion.
7. Woman in distress.
8. Women threatened by a powerful, impulsive, tyrannical man.
9. The metonomy of gloom and horror.
10. The vocabulary of the gothic.

Frankenstein had half, if not most of these elements. The atmosphere was full of mystery and suspense because you never knew who might die next or where the creature may be. Victor Frankenstein considered his mothers death to be an 'omen' for future unfortunate events. This creature living among the living woulkd be considered 'supernatural'. Elizabeth was killed by the big creature. And in general the story is full of gloom and horror.

--Tanya Rios