Figurative language is basically a language a author uses in a text, article, e.t.c to enhance the readers perspective and uses metaphors and other examples of figurative language to go beyond the words in the text. I hope this helps!
The statement that describes a gothic element in the excerpt "The Lady Maid's Bell" that would show a social attitute at that the time of the Wharton's was "Some ladies are very stiff about having their servants’ friends in the house overnight."
