In Oate's horror narrative “Where Is Here?” she begins by introducing an unknown stranger, who decides to take a visit to was once his home. The stranger would like to recapture the vibe, as well as feelings, that he once had while living there. Typically, Gothic literature mentions the use of “a sense of impending doom,” (324) which can make the reader feel uncomfortable, or even make them feel disturbed. Out of all the Gothic narratives described, the most used is a “bleak or remote setting” as some others are often grand (291). Not all horror literature pertain grand setting nor details; but rather “violent or tormented happenings” (324). As the story comes about, an unknown stranger is described to come visit on a November evening, around dinner time. Most households are settling down trying to enjoy themselves. But the strange man decides to stopover at this time of day? It seems very odd and unusual; while some visits are during the day time (325). A factor from the Gothic elements reference “character in physical torment” (291) play a huge role as Oate's states a few times too many in the story, probably trying to show it plays an important role toward the stranger. She states that he has a limp while he walks (326). Maybe while younger, he fell down the basement steps? Or there was physical abuse done by family. While making his way through the home he spots the basement door, staring at while making his decision on whether to go down or not(327). He then goes on through the kitchen, delighted to see the sink hasn't changed, on to the living room. He is overjoyed to see what was once known as “one of his happy places.” The stranger went on to mention that his mother used to tell him riddles while in the chair. The mother of the household then asks the question, “Is your mother still living, Mr…?” He replies with a no. He then states that “..we've all been dead..” His tone of voice then gets quick, as if he said something wrong; trying to hide something unmentionable perhaps? The visitor then adds instead, “they've all been dead” (329). From his quick breath as stated, could this man be a figment of imagination or rather a supernatural phenomenon playing the role of an unknown gentleman in the seek of replaying his childhood? After the visit from the basement, the man, uninvited, takes himself upstairs; where the kids' bedrooms are located. The mother replies with a nervous plead stating the rooms may not be in good condition. The man waves it off and takes a look at the son's bedroom, but when it came to the other rooms “his mouth twisted as if he had been offered something repulsive to eat” (329). What seems to be happening is an incident of abuse? Or episodes done there as if giving him a painful reaction towards them? The stranger unnamed then asks an unpredictable question regarding the children, simply, “Why?” (330). Unsure of the sudden curiosity, why would anyone ask in particular why a couple would have children? Someplace down deep in the man's past was triggered by such? Some-thing repulsive happened to him as a child, making him think having a family is unnecessary? He then goes on to say after the father replied “Of course,” “Of course, of course, otherwise it would all come to an end.” The couple are merely stunned from his use of words. If the father wouldn't have replied with such then maybe something unimaginative would have went about with the children. To continue, the father was getting uneasy as the stranger floated about through his home as the stranger would not take his leave. Of the father getting agitated and annoyed, he went over to the visitor to tell him that the visit was over (331). The stranger, hearing these words, was merely devastated. He begged to stay a while longer, telling the parents “..to sit on the basement steps in the dark..” and they could go on with their meals as if he wasn't there. Not sure why someone would want to pursue such an action, but it's creepy and disturbing. Perhaps the stranger is a figment of imagination, or a ghost, and he would disappear as they shut the door. (331) As soon as the father forced the visit to end, the stranger went out “disappearing in the darkness” (331). At the beginning of the story, Oates does not address whether the lights were out or not, which shows the “impending doom” atmosphere. (324) Did the lights really go out? Or was it for the reader to take the role to test to test their hypothesis? Later after the visit was over, the house held a dreary feeling making the father, and mother, the complete opposite of east. The house was then described as “drain and flushed; the lights were left flickering, the wallpaper packed of color, and the green carpeting looked faded.” Oates then states, “a shadow lay upon it shaped like a bulbous cloud or growth” (332). What could be described is the shadow of a ghost? Oates then adds the question, “Or was is an optical illusion?” (332). She obviously intends the reader to think more into the narrative other than just a stranger visiting the home. Perhaps the stranger was not meant to leave but to stay until the very end of the visit? No one could ever really know but Oates. Once the stranger takes his leave, the mother and father receive the feel of anger, and it goes on to “physical torment” (324). The mother goes on to say, “I wasn't the one who let the man in.” She tries to go to comfort the father but instead “violently jerked his arm and thrust her away” (332). Was he flustered from the annoyance of the unknown stranger? Or has the man given off a dreadful vibe giving the father the vision that all has come to an end? As the story has gone so far as to change the outlook of the parents, Oates has described the narrative with plentiful of Gothic elements helping carry out the story and character's actions nicely. She has gone from a simple November evening to a complete change in outlook as well as characters and settings; elements help the narrative such as physical torment from the stranger's past (?) as well as the couple's anger and fatal incidents. Catastrophe seems to run from the visitor to the household, making them feel what he could have felt long ago.