This is obviously a big topic, but here are a few pointers to get you started.
1. One characteristic of gothic novels is that they have multiple levels of narration. They do this by using a framing device. We see this in Frankenstein when the story of Frankenstein and his creation is "framed" by the story of Walton. So, we hear Frankenstein's story told to Walton who is telling us the story. At times, the narration is even further removed, such as when the Monster tells Frankenstein his story.
2. Another aspect of gothic literature are the lonely, frightening settings. Gothic literature is "on the margin" of both human psychology, but also geography. The Arctic of course was the literal limit of man's geographical knowledge at the time, but Shelley uses these isolated settings to highlight the loneliness and alienation of the monster, who says:
The desert mountains and...
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dreary glaciers are my refuge. I have wandered here many days; the caves of ice, which I only do not fear, are a dwelling to me, and the only one which man does not grudge.
This shows how he has been rejected by man and labelled as a "monster" - a term which is ironic because it is man through his actions towards the monster that is shown to be acting like a monster.
3. A third aspect of gothic literature is the search for illicit truth and magical mysteries. Frankenstein of course engages in a quest to push the realms of science to their limits and even to go beyond that by his creation of the monster. He sacrifices a "normal" life in his quest and even though he has a wonderful, loving family, goes through periods where he is so focused on his research that he has no contact with them whatsoever. His use of dead bodies adds a gothic feel to his research, and quotes such as: "I entered the diligence into the search of the philosopher's stone and the elixir of life…" make it very clear that he is trying to play God - something that the subtitle of A Modern Prometheus underscores.
How is Frankenstein written as a Gothic horror novel?
Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley on a dare. She and a few of her other friends were hanging out and they dared each other to write a good ghost story. The other folks were prominent writers as well, and Mary was the product of two successful writers. No one else took on the dare. At age 19, Shelley took this seriously and Frankenstein was born.
The book opens with a series of letters from a man on an adventure. Up in the Arctic region, he comes upon a man who tells the story of his upbringing. This story ends up including his creation of the monster, and then the monster ends up telling his story to his creator which his creator is re-telling.
Gothic horror is an off-shoot genre of the romantic era. Romanticism consisted of fantasy that could not come true. It was impossible. This scenario fits romanticism because man can only re-create man through one process. Romanticism also uses elements of nature to help portray mood or tone. This book is no different. In fact, nature most specifically builds suspense with it's light and dark connotations and the conditions of weather.
The idea that humans could do such great evil also contributes to the gothic nature of this piece. Up until the 1700s, much written text was produced by the church. During this new time, an author's imagination could run wild and did. Particularly because of what the French were able to accomplish in controlling other peoples, many had feelings about the ills of what man was capable of. The supernatural is indicative of this Gothic genre and Frankenstein certainly possesses that.