The Fall of the House of Usher2

A detailed Summary of The Fall of the House of Usher2

Death is defined as, "The termination or extinction of something." Edgar Allen Poe uses this description in "The Fall of the House of Usher" in different ways. Poe's intention when writing "The Fall of the House of Usher" was not to present a moral, lesson, or truth to the reader; he was simply trying to bring forth a sense of terror to the reader. Poe's mind works this way, and critics believe this statement, especially when related to this story.

Poe is grouped with other writers in the Romantic period. Writers of this period focused on life, emotions, and the existence of the human race. Although Poe's work has many characteristics of Romanticism, "The Fall of the House of Usher", falls into the Gothic category. "It is usually admired for its 'atmosphere' and for its exquisitely artificial manipulation of Gothic claptrap and decor." Bringing forth the symbolism of death is a major part of this writing. All of the characters in "The Fall of the House of Usher" are linked to death; by physical objects or by other people. "There are no

The physical aspect of the House of Usher symbolizes death, in the chain of events, during the story. Even Poe's description of the house has deadly chara

experiences physical death, and at that instant his soul is set free

to receive Roderick's soul that had been lost because of her non-existence.

In the end, Roderick's guest finally expresses that Roderick is truly a madman. The purpose for this is that Madeline was alive when they sealed her in the coffin. Usher knew that he had done this many days before, "Long-long-long-many minutes, many hours, many days, have I heard it-yet I dared not-oh, pity me, miserable wretch that I am!-I dared not-I dared not speak! We have put her living in the tomb!"

Not only was the physical state of the "House of Usher" gone, but the ancient family name or dynasty, as it might be called, died also. Isolation and paranoia caused the decay of the Usher roots. In the past, the Ushers were noted for a long lasting family existence. Displayed through works of art and "musical science". Roderick Usher fretted the death of his family, thus, making him even more insane; which then, eventually led to his death.

to them, "...but then without those doors there did stand the lofty and

cteristics. Poe describes the house as having "eye-like windows" and being covered by "minute fungi...hanging in a fine tangled web-work from the eaves; a barely perceptible fissure, which, extending from the roof of the building in front, made its way down the wall in a zigzag direction, until it became lost in the sullen waters of the tarn". This "fissure" is presented to the reader, early in the story, to represent that Roderick's love for his twin sister,

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1036
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English