There's always more to be said, but I think these past answers of mine might get to what you're asking:

Why are people today fascinated with the Victorian era?

When people in the Roman Empire ca. 410 AD say the word "Goth", they were thinking of barbarous tribes that came from their northern border. Now, when people say the word "Goth", we think of ruinous castles, gloomy churchyards, and teenagers with heavy eyeliners. How do these two meanings relate?