Gothikana

The University of Verenmore includes the castle and the mountain, both of which serve as shifting symbols that reflect the mysterious, ever-changing atmosphere of the novel. When Corvina first arrives at the castle, she sees it as a marvel, something that reflects her optimism about a new future away from the judgmental village in which she was raised. As she learns more about the mysterious deaths and worries about her mental health, the castle becomes a symbol of dread. It is only when Corvina has her “happy ending” with Vad that the castle becomes once again a positive force, even though not all of the castle’s mysteries have been solved. Since Corvina is happy, the castle seems, to her, a potentially happy place—one where building a family legacy is a positive thing, not a dangerous one.

The castle and mountain also fulfill many of the conventions of a gothic setting, as it is a remote location, far from the reaches of modern civilization. There is no internet or phone access in the castle; the paths are poorly lit and difficult to traverse. In addition to being atop a mountain, the castle is surrounded by a mysterious, dense forest that is the site of many legends—only some of which are solved by the end of the novel.