The Man Illustrated

The Man possesses the typical characteristics of Gothic fiction: horror and romance. The setting of the novel begins in a cemetery, and often returns to the cemetery. Depictions of tombstones, Gothic architecture, gargoyles and other gothic imagery are abundant. The novel focuses on a romance between the main character, Stephen, and Harold. The story focuses a great deal on the concept of death, as many of the characters die in tragic accidents. Through these deaths, Stephen and Harold grow closer in their intimate bond. This combination of horror and romance indicate the novel's loyalty to the gothic genre.