The Fall Of The House Of Usher By Edgar Alan Poe

In Edgar Allan Poes The Fall of the House of Usher, Poe uses the concept of death and Rodericks deteriorating mental condition in order to give a sense of foreboding and mystery to the story.

It is this premonition of something dreadful to come which surrounds the characters of Roderick and Madeline Usher as the story progresses. The narrator of the story, an old friend of Roderick Usher, is shocked by the ghastly appearance and odd behaviour of his long time acquaintance and it is from this impression and several odd occurances that he becomes increasingly uneasy. For example, upon seeing Roderick, the narrator remarks, cadaverous of complexion; an eye large, liquid and luminous beyond comparison; lips. pallid, . hair of. web-like softness (Poe, 667). Although Roderick is very much alive, his appearance would indicate death and his behavior shows signs of deteriorating sanity. The fissure in the house seen earlier by the narrator symbolizes Rodericks deteriorating mental condition, as well (Burduck, 72). Upon the narrators entrance into the room, Roderick remarks on the solace he expected [the narrator] to afford him (Poe, 667). Throughout the story, Roderick and the narrator also keep themselves occupied by reading and playing music; however, Roderick previously remarks that he [dreads] the events of the future, and must reason together in [his] struggles with some fatal demon of fear (Poe, 668). Perhaps Roderick knows of some evil to come and he occupies his time with reading, music, and the company of his old friend so that he will not go crazy. In addition to the previous observations by the narrator, he also notes that Roderick is, Enchained by certain superstitious impressions in regard to the dwelling which he tenant[s] (Poe, 668). This indicates that perhaps Roderick is aware of some supernatural element belonging to the house. In addition to Rodericks appearance and behaviour, the narrator is shocked to see the similarity in Madeline and Rodericks appearance. The fact that the two remaining members of the House of Usher appear so deathly, may be a sign of the final end to the House of Usher.

Later, upon putting Madelines supposedly dead body in a crypt, the narrator notices her complexion as having, the mockery of a faint blush (Poe, 672). Although the narrator notices the unusually healthy comlexion of the deceased Madeline, he tries to rationalize what he sees by concluding that it must have been caused by her particular illness. The fact that the color in her face is even mentioned may be a sign that perhaps she is not really dead and that Madeline may appear in the story later. The narrator remarks, There were times, indeed, when I thought his unceasingly agitated mind was laboring with an oppressive secret, to divulge which he struggled for the necessary courage (Poe, 673). The narrator also comments on how Roderick seems to stare at nothing and appears to be listening to some imaginary ...