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Examples Of Gothic Literature In The Fall Of The House Of Usher

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The understanding of eighteenth-century conceptualisations of “gothic” is fundamental to our reading and interpretation of all gothic literature, with focus on Edgar Allen Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher
In this essay I will explore the idea that having a fundamental understanding of the concept of eighteenth-century “gothic” and the literary techniques involved in creating it is necessary in gaining a well-rounded appreciation for the works of authors such as Edgar Allen Poe. Through a close reading of Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher I will illuminate the methods used by Poe to warrant it one of the most innovative pieces of gothic literature, and therefore establish how it paved the way for many gothic and dark romantic authors after its publishing.
Gothic fiction, by definition, is a genre of literature that combines …show more content…

The storm here may also symbolise the growing tension between the siblings that eventually leads to their demise, and that drives the narrator out of the Usher house. The use of a storm in gothic texts is quite common; often being used to evoke fear amongst readers. However the arrival of a storm also often appears during the climax of the plot, clearly evident in The Fall of the House of Usher. As the build of the storm in Usher echoes the rises of the plot, until climax, it also marks the end, or “fall”, of the Usher home. The storm proves destructive when lightning strikes; destroying the house. Poe’s use of the storm is also a fine example of the “gothic explique”, technique used by gothic writers to logically explain the supernatural. The lightening that occurs when Madeline begins to make noise, could explain her resurrection; a technique also used in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

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