The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate the changing forms that the haunted house trope has taken in different literary periods. Moreover, the focus will be on the influence of various time-dependent factors, such as changes in social changes and norms that have left their imprint on the haunted house subgenre. The selected works provide a valuable insight into different eras, and a suitable basis for analysis. The Castle of Otranto, regarded as the first gothic novel, can also be described as the prototype of literary hauntings. The novel tells the story of bizarre unfortunate events attributable to the grim past of the gloomy dwelling, and has served as a model of inspiration for many Gothic authors to come. While Walpole employed elements of gore in his novel, Poe and Lovecraft are known for their preference of focusing on the uncanny and the supernatural. Their respective styles and approaches will be analyzed based on The Fall of The House of Usher and The Shunned House. Both Jackson and King describe haunted buildings as evil entities with the power of possession in their novels The Haunting of Hill House and The Shining, both of which are considered classics.