How did the American culture prompt the dark sides of Romanticism (think Gothic and Southern Gothic)?

Naturally, in American Culture, human fault is present and common. This commonality of fault, whether it be because of decisions that are 

In American culture, human fault is not uncommon. Fault in an American, is based on the interpretation on who ever is seeking fault, and is often found in the fault seeker himself, which thus makes him or her a hypocrite. This fault finding sport fuels Romanticism and Southern Gothic Romanticism by giving the author of such writing style a theme to write about, the dark side of human nature. For example, Mr. Shiftlet in "The Life You Save May Be Your Own" by O'Connor leaves behind his angelic wife, picks up a hitchhiker, and proceeds to lecture the young boy on how sad he felt that he left his angelic mother. This act can be seen as hypocracy because Shiftlet is hinting that the boy should not leave his family behind when he is leaving his own wife behind. Hypocracy is a dark theme that is present in Southern Gothic Romanticism, but the reason it is included in Southern Gothic Romanticism is because it exists in real life.