The fall of usher Essay Example
The fall of usher Essay Example

The fall of usher Essay Example

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  • Published: January 27, 2019
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"The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe is a mesmerizing narrative that delves into the intricacies of the human psyche. Taking place in a dilapidated ancestral home, this eerie tale revolves around a brother and sister. As with numerous other pieces by Poe, symbolism plays a prominent role in this haunting account.

The symbolism of Roderick Usher's mind aligns with the House of Usher, intertwining both Roderick and Madeline residing in the house. This reflects the division of the mind into rational and emotional parts, often associated with male and female aspects. Within Usher's mind, emotions are difficult to express, symbolized by Madeline's unknown illness. After her death, Roderick suppresses his emotional side in the subconscious by placing her in a dungeon until burial. He believes that enduring two w

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eeks without this emotional part will enable him to live without it permanently. The fortnight symbolizes 14 days or half a moon cycle; the full moon represents the unconscious mind or dark side, while the new moon represents consciousness or good side. At the start of the full moon's half cycle, when her return using dark power is likely, Madeline is locked away. Unfortunately, on the night of the full moon - a time of turmoil in Usher's mind - Madeline returns from death to kill him. In essence, what he wanted to eliminate comes back and destroys his fragile mental state. Consequently, The House of Usher crumbles and falls into ruin as it sinks into a swampy pool at its front.
Usher's mind undergoes a collapse, dividing the male and female aspects of his consciousness. Symbolically, the external appearance of the house reflect

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this as well. The surrounding land lacks vitality and color, mirroring Usher's dark and hopeless environment. These surroundings may contribute to or exacerbate his depression. While from afar the house seems stable and in good condition, closer inspection reveals its internal decay. Similar to Usher's mind, it teeters on the edge of crumbling. Roderick's forehead bears resemblance to the eaves along the facade of the dwelling, which act as a parasite slowly infiltrating downward from the roof - akin to how Usher's conscious thoughts infect his subconsciousness. Roderick's thin pale lips symbolize life hanging by a delicate thread that keeps him grounded amidst his corpse-like appearance resembling the cold atmosphere of the house. All these images imply that Usher's time in this world is limited. Ultimately, in an attempt to calm Roderick and provide him with strength, the narrator decides to tell him a storyAt present, Roderick is filled with extreme nervousness and paranoia, constantly dreading his sister's return. The book being read to Roderick by our narrator tells the story of a knight who encounters a magician. Instead of finding the expected prize, a magnificent shield, the knight fails to hold onto it and it falls to the ground. This symbolizes the hero's failure to confront his fear correctly and results in losing his reward, which could represent Usher's sanity. Interestingly, this symbolism is reflected in reality when the shield falls and there is a knock on the door of the chamber. Roderick opens the door only to be confronted by Madeline covered in blood and lunging at him, shedding light on his claim that she was buried alive. This suggests that one's ability

to express emotions, even negative ones, is never truly dead but always unwell. "The Fall of the House of Usher" not only presents an intriguing story on its own but also holds deeper meanings when examined thoroughly. It portrays a man descending into madness in an imaginative manner. However, there may be additional interpretations beyond this perspective such as representing the inner mind of someone with schizophrenia or serving as a cautionary tale against harming one's sisters told to boys. Regardless, this work remains worth reading.

This paper belongs to NetEssays.Net Copyright 1999-2002Edgar Allen Poe, an American writer of the 19th century, is renowned for his macabre themes. In "The Fall of the House of Usher," Poe employs vivid imagery to create a dark and terrifying atmosphere while also providing insight into his own psyche. The story centers around an ancient mansion and utilizes lifeless objects like a decaying house and eye-like windows to amplify its supernatural ambiance (Baym). The initial five paragraphs introduce the narrator's arrival at the House of Usher, describing its desolate surroundings. As a childhood companion of Roderick Usher, the narrator encounters a mansion with inverted images of gray sedge, eerie tree-stems, and vacant windows (Poe 350). Surrounding the house is a pool of tarn, or swampy dead matter, further contributing to the gloomy setting. By repeatedly emphasizing this tarn, Poe foreshadows the somber conditions that will pervade throughout the narrative. When observing the view of the house in this stagnant pool, the narrator likens it to "the after-dream of the reveller upon opium" (Poe 350), revealing his heightened sense of superstition despite attempting to rely on logic and reason when examining

both the house and its environs.The mansion and its surroundings have a peculiar atmosphere, as described by the narrator. Upon entering the house, familiar objects like tapestries on the wall and tall archways intensify his superstitious feelings. The suits of armor on the walls are even described as ghostly or phantom-like. The narrator believes this is what caused Roderick's mental illness mentioned in the letter that brought him there. Despite being filled with books and musical instruments, they fail to bring any liveliness to the room. When meeting his host, Usher warmly greets the narrator, who reflects on how much he has changed since they were childhood friends. Usher is described as having a "cadaverous" complexion and thin, pale lips. His nose resembles a delicate Hebrew model and he has a finely molded chin. Additionally, his hair appears very fine and thin, giving the impression that it hasn't been cut for a long time. It has been noted that Usher's features closely resemble those of Poe himself. As the visit continues, more information about Usher's illness is revealed: heightened sensitivity to certain foods, clothing textures, flower odors, bright lights or loud noises; extreme paranoia; belief in supernatural qualities possessed by his house.
After discussing his own illness with the narrator, Usher introduces his sister who bears a striking resemblance to him. However, she suffers from cataleptic spells that render her lifeless and devoid of a pulse. The pivotal moment in the story arises when Roderick implores the narrator to assist him in entombing his recently deceased sister beneath the house for a duration of two weeks. Roderick is plagued by the fear that their family physician

may unearth her remains. Madeline's apparent demise drives Roderick further into madness as he aimlessly roams the halls at night, forsaking his usual passions for music and art. To the narrator, it becomes evident that Roderick harbors a profound secret which begins to take its toll on both their mental states; causing sleeplessness and extreme nervousness. One fateful evening, while pacing restlessly in his chamber, the narrator discerns Roderick's approach. With a lamp in hand, Roderick enters bearing witness to an impending storm outside and appears greatly distressed. In an attempt to console him amidst near-hysteria, the narrator elects to read aloud from a random book he happens upon - one recounting an epic battle between a knight and dragon. As he reads, eerie sounds permeate throughout the house paralleling an intense struggle occurring elsewhere within its confines; ultimately revealing itself as Madeline's desperate bid for escape from her sepulcherIn Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," the protagonist's strong desire for survival leads her to escape from the vault and make her way to the upper chambers. In her dying moments, she falls on her brother, causing him to die from fear. The narrator manages to flee but witnesses the complete collapse of the house and the death of its only inhabitants. Throughout the story, Poe uses vivid imagery of the house and its inanimate objects to create a supernatural atmosphere. By attributing lifelike characteristics to these objects, he also gives the house a supernatural quality.

Poe goes into great detail to describe Roderick Usher's mental illness, with his facial features resembling his own. This portrayal provides insight into Poe's own struggles

as a writer, making "The Fall of the House of Usher" more than just a tale about an introverted and tormented artistic soul. It exemplifies unity in its structure, with every element interconnected through the central image of the house including Madeline, Roderick, and the narrator.

This content is copyrighted by NetEssays.Net (1999-2002). The story revolves around a central symbol that encompasses everything; expanding throughout the narrative and collapsing back into unity at the end (Bloom 19).Upon arriving at the House of Usher, the narrator reflects on the Usher family and their connection to the mansion. Each generation has a male heir who inherits both the house and the family's reputation as one entity. It is implied that the family constructed the house, making it intertwined with their very existence. Roderick Usher believes that everything in his surroundings, including the house itself, is interconnected with his family and has influenced their fates. The house not only becomes known as "House of Usher," but also resembles Roderick himself. As he gazes upon the house, a sense of gloom washes over him and he attempts to rationalize its eerie impact. However, what he experiences is a profound feeling of despair and sorrow akin to waking from an opium-induced dream. This fills his heart with an icy sinking sensation and an overwhelming sense of desolation. The thoughts flooding his mind are incomprehensible, leaving him unable to grapple with their shadowy nature (Thompson 88). Despite these apprehensions, he proceeds towards meeting his long-lost friend Roderick in the house.The valet leads him into Roderick's studio where he observes him closely. Remarkably transformed since their last encounter considering such little time has

passed, yet there are enduring qualities in Roderick's face that catch the narrator's attention as well.
The appearance of both the house and Roderick is in a state of decay, but there are notable features that stand out. Roderick has large, radiant eyes and delicate hair that resembles a web. This tangled hair visually merges with the structure of the house, creating an enigmatic expression on Roderick's face. Thompson (93) points out that the house's "wild inconsistency" mirrors Roderick's struggle to overcome anxiety. The crack in the building symbolizes his battle against insanity and his attempt to maintain composure amidst disorder (153). Lawrence explains that the Usher mansion's "vacant eye-like windows" represent Roderick's physical body and its dim interior represents his visionary mind (edt.in Wilbur 264). To understand the relationship between the narrator and the house, one must first understand their relationship with Roderick. According to Roderick's letter, the narrator recalls being his close friend while standing at the edge of the tarn and gazing at the reflection of the house.The narrator contemplates the letter's contents and Roderick's motives for his request, acknowledging the sincerity behind it. Without hesitation, the narrator promptly obeys this peculiar summons (Poe 1158). Throughout the following days of the narrator's stay, Roderick alternates between a brilliant yet deranged individual and a prophet of doom. As Roderick shares his illness and superstitious beliefs with the narrator, they begin to greatly influence him. The narrator starts experiencing the same fears as Roderick, adopting his illusions as their own (Thompson 92). In his article titled "The French Face of Edgar Poe," Patrick Quinn describes how upon arriving at the House of Usher, the narrator

is not faced with typical everyday life conditions but rather encounters an environment dominated by decay and death."In his lapse, he enters a dreamlike state as a hideous veil descends rather than being lifted" (317). As the narrator spends more time with Roderick, he realizes that attempting to cheer him up is futile since darkness seems to emanate from Roderick's mind, enveloping everything in a perpetual gloomy atmosphere (Poe 1161). Following Madeline's death and burial, Roderick undergoes a transformation. The narrator observes how Roderick occasionally appears lost in deep concentration, as if listening to nonexistent sounds, leading the narrator to conclude it must be madness manifesting. This behavior terrifies the narrator and begins to affect him gradually, imbuing him with Roderick's peculiar and captivating superstitions (Poe 1166). Towards the story's conclusion, a storm approaches. In an effort to calm Roderick, the narrator reads from the "Mad Trist." However, the reading engrosses him so much that he starts associating the sounds in the tale with eerie sounds emerging from beneath his own bedroom. It becomes evident that he has become akin to Roderick (Poe 1168). The text implies that within this eerie ambiance of madness and death, the narrator's mind teeters on the brink of insanity. Richard Wilbur further suggests that due to extreme decay at Usher House, the narrator has nearly detached himself from his physical form and material world.Assuming that Roderick and the narrator possess madness and that the House of Usher is an extension of the Usher family, it can be concluded that the narrator and the house are essentially one. The portrayal of the house as a skull or death's-head, along with

the merging of the narrator's face with that of the house, further emphasizes their connection. This mirrors Poe's utilization of narrative structure and visual focus in a paradoxical manner. The authenticity of anything relayed by the narrator is uncertain since it is plausible that everything is merely a fabrication within their deranged mind. It is also possible that no events have occurred outside but only within their inner world. Despite questioning the truthfulness of this account, considering Madeline, Roderick, and the narrator's relationship is crucial as it plays a significant role in shaping the storyline. Being twins, Roderick and Madeline have always shared a mysterious bond between them. If one experiences sickness or pain, it affects the other as well. They have resided together in their ancestral home for their entire lives without any clear explanation as to why. Surprisingly, Madeline's presence does not alleviate Roderick's loneliness but rather intensifies it. Their twin status entails a strong resemblance and an inexplicable connection that makes them perceive themselves not as separate individuals but rather as one consciousness residing in two bodies.This amplifies their family's introverted nature even more.After the narrator arrives at Roderick's house, he overhears Roderick discussing Madeline's illness and his fear of being the last descendant of the House of Usher. Suddenly, Madeline appears in the room without acknowledging the narrator. This surprises and unsettles him. He is unable to explain his feelings and becomes stupefied as he watches her leave. Roderick explains that Madeline is dying from an undiagnosed disease, which includes catalepsy as a symptom. After their first encounter, Madeline loses hope and remains bedridden. Meanwhile, Roderick paints a detailed picture of

an underground vault or tunnel. The painting depicts a rectangular space with low white walls, creating an impression of being deeply buried underground. Despite no visible light source, the area emits an eerie glow. Later on, it is revealed that the painting represents the vault where Madeline is buried within the house after her death. Following her burial, Roderick's behavior drastically changes as he neglects his usual activities and aimlessly wanders through the chambers. His complexion becomes even paler, and his once bright eyes lose their luminosity. The narrator notices a change in Roderick's voice; previously occasionally husky but now constantly trembling with extreme terror implied by its quaver-like quality.
The narrator suspects that Roderick's disturbed mind is burdened by a secret that he struggles to disclose due to a lack of bravery (Poe, 1165-66). Deep in his thoughts, Roderick acknowledges that a part of him has perished or been destroyed by his actions towards Madeline. They began life as one and end it as one. Poe's conclusion to the story symbolically represents the unity of the tale, as Madeline and Roderick collapse together in death, mirroring how they started life as one in their mother's womb. Furthermore, the House of Usher becomes one with them, as without an Usher descendant, it cannot remain. This demonstrates the complete unity of the story. Edgar Allen Poe's Fall of the House of Usher shares many similarities with his other works, containing his dark and supernatural themes such as evil and death, along with the use of imagery and symbolism to foreshadow the story's progression. The entire storyline is filled with various symbols and images that hint at the

outcome. In my essay, I will analyze Edgar Allan Poe's utilization of imagery in Fall of the House of Usher. Right from the start line sets a somber and eerie atmosphere: "During [..] melancholy House of Usher" (335).The reader can already sense something ominous awaits in the initial sentence of this text. The day is described as "dull, dark, and soundless," implying death and an absence of life. The low-hanging clouds represent imminent death. The choice of autumn as the setting is no coincidence; it resembles death with trees entering a dormant state like Lady Madeline's catatonic trance. Autumn is often referred to as fall due to leaves falling off trees - possibly alluding to the impending downfall of the house of Usher. Poe portrays the Usher house differently through imagery. The narrator's words suggest supernatural powers or a living essence within the house. Nonetheless, it is portrayed as something to be feared, causing palpable fear in the narrator as he describes its desolate walls, vacant windows resembling eyes, rank sedges, and decaying trees' white trunks (335). By attributing human characteristics to the house, such as calling its windows "vacant" and "eye-like," the narrator intensifies the sense of foreboding. It becomes a negative force - an overwhelming presence that may prove difficult to escape from like a demon.In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," the narrator is struck by the peculiar behavior of those who reside in the house. Upon entering, he finds an atmosphere that is both pestilent and mystical, lacking any resemblance to heavenly air. Instead, it is tainted by decaying trees and gray walls, accompanied by a silent

tarn. The interior reflects the unwelcoming exterior, resembling hell rather than heaven. This oppressive atmosphere is further emphasized by its dullness, sluggishness, faint discernibility, and leaden hue (336). Through vivid imagery and descriptive language such as "dull," "sluggish," and "leaden-hued," Poe creates a sense of impending doom and catastrophe that permeates the story. Despite not knowing all the details, readers can feel a growing fear and apprehension as they delve into this tale. Indeed, Poe's masterful use of imagery showcases his brilliance as a writer who can evoke strong emotions through visual descriptions.The narrative explores various themes and ideas through the crucial role of the setting. The setting sets the tone, foreshadows events, and symbolically conveys information about the characters. The story revolves around the narrator's visit to comfort his friend Roderick Usher, who is suffering from deep mental depression, ultimately leading to their tragic demise. Throughout the narrative, Poe delves into the consequences of fear and its detrimental effects when denied. The narrator immediately feels uneasy about the house and its occupants as he approaches it, engulfed in an unbearable gloom. The opening scene is dark and gloomy, resembling darkness itself. Descriptions of empty windows and decaying trees bring a profound sadness to the narrator's soul, likening it to opium-induced after-effects. The house takes on a skull-like appearance that instills fear in the narrator's mind. When he sees his long-lost friend Roderick for the first time, he is shocked by his hauntingly pale complexion, large luminous eyes, thin pale lips beautifully curved - a sight that feels like staring death in the face leaves him startled and awestruck. Residing in this mansion was Roderick

Usher along with his twin sister Madeline.
The narrator only caught glimpses of her passing through the halls but regarded her with astonishment mixed with dread. Throughout the story, the narrator's fear towards the mansion and its occupants intensifies. Upon receiving Roderick's letter, the narrator is moved by his friend's plea to see him. Their friendship was not based on love but convenience. As boys, they were intimate associates, yet the narrator knew little about his friend. They both lacked other friends and shared qualities of darkness and gloom, being excessively reserved.

The fear of loneliness experienced by the narrator is best depicted in Edgar Allan Poe's poem "Alone": "And all I loved - I loved alone - Then - in my childhood, in the dawn." To cope with his fear of being alone, the narrator refers to Roderick as his best friend even though he knows little about him.

Intrigued by the Ushers family history, the narrator is drawn towards Roderick for excitement and adventure. Roderick has been secluded inside the mansion for years and introduces the narrator to his created world. He confesses that his reading material involves death, magic, medieval torture, and poetry, revealing his unstable and death-obsessed nature.

As days pass by, Roderick informs the narrator that Madeline has passed away, leaving him as the last of the Ushers and causing great depression.Roderick and the narrator respond by placing Madeline's body in a small, damp vault without any light. The narrator's sleeping quarters are situated below the area where Madeline is buried, but this doesn't bother them and they agree with Roderick's request. They also mention a dream the narrator had about the house and

wonder if their entire experience could be connected to it. To soothe Roderick, the narrator reads him a story called "Mad Trist," which triggers madness. While reading, they discover that certain syllables cause immediate reactions.

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