Suspense In The Fall Of The House Of Usher

The Evocation of Terror in Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher

In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” and Julio Cortazar’ “House Taken Over” the short stories represent the genre of Gothic Literature. Gothic Literature is a genre that combines fiction, horror, death, and romance. Some of these traits are seen in both of these stories through characters and settings. However, there are other traits that set them apart.

Edgar Allen Poe’s short story The Fall of the House of Usher was very captivating. Once I began reading the story I couldn’t put the book down till I was done. I believe the protagonist in the story was Roderick Usher. I always assumed a protagonist to be heroic in some way. Roderick Usher’s character, however, was not heroic. Usher was not only a hypochondriac, but he was a mentally and physically sick man. I have no doubt that a lot of his mental and physical maladies sprouted from years of inbreeding in his family:

It is safe to say that terror often causes negative reactions. When someone is scared, their mind can take over and will impair one's ability to reason. This is shown in two stories, “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allen Poe and “House Taken Over” by Julio Cortazar. Imagination takes over in “The Fall of the House of Usher” when Roderick Usher realizes he buried his sister alive. The mind also takes over in “House Taken Over,” when two siblings deal with a mysterious entity. Imagination overcomes reason when characters become anxious or are isolated from society.

Fear is a feeling that most have experienced at least once in their lives. Despite the negative connotation often attached to the word “fear”, many people find themselves seeking the the thrill an adrenaline rush, caused by fear, gives them. This causes many “safe” ways to experience fear (reading a Gothic book, watching a horror movie, or even telling a scary story at a sleepover) to be popular. The short story, “The Fall of the House of Usher” clearly dictates the fundamentals of what causes the allure of fear, unexplainable or unnatural phenomenons and sudden changes that leave the subject hanging.

Albert Einstein once said, “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” What one sees as true depends on his or her perspective. In the dark short story, “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe, the attitudes of the characters affects their fates. Using imagery, symbolism, and allegory, Poe indicates in his story that believing something can be enough to make it true. Poe is well known for his use of haunting imagery.

In Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher" the opening paragraph develops a particular attitude towards the House of Usher. The attitude that is created toward the house is insufferable gloom. This attitude is created through the choice of words and phrases Edgar Allan Poe uses throughout the paragraph.

Deteriorating towns are generally filled with a mere handful of inhabitants still clinging to whatever life they used to have. Houses fall apart. Quality of life decreases. People become unstable due to their inability to provide for themselves and their families. This has been seen all over: the towns become relics and the people become charity cases. When the going gets tough the tough get going; however, those inhabitants who choose to stay rewrite their endings. Edgar Allan Poe’s use of imagery portraying decay in “The Fall of the House of Usher” serves to set up the final fate of the two main characters.

In the story “ The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe, has an American romanticism with its characters. Edgar Allan Poe is considered a Dark Romanticism because of the way he writes his poems and short stories centered around the concept of evil human nature, darkness, and death. Roderick and Madeline Usher were said to be related during the middle of the story; they were twins. It explained how they were sick, Roderick had a mental disorder and Madeline was physically sick. As the narrator enters the desolate house, he finds both Roderick and his sister in a severe state of depression and they both appear sick like. The narrator tries to make Roderick feel better, but Roderick wouldn’t budge. Roderick thinks that the house is making him sick and making him to appear crazy.

Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher,” Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Minister’s Black Veil,” and William Cullen Bryant’s “Thanatopsis” illustrate several Romantic and Transcendentalist (and anti-Transcendentalist) traits. All of these authors are regarded as very important and influential Romantic writers. Their works are renowned all across the entire world. “The Fall of the House of Usher” is a Gothic short story written by Edgar Allen Poe, which focuses on exploring the psychology of the primary character, Roderick. Hawthorne’s “The Minister’s Black Veil” is a grim tale featuring a minister who begins wearing a black veil everywhere he goes - a metaphor for his own internal despair. Bryant’s “Thanatopsis” is a more traditional form of poetry that speaks of nature and death. These works together all share several Romantic themes and together exhibit several traits reflective of the Romantic movement of poetry and art. In particular, these writings all contain darker aspects to them that likely would not have been as appreciated at the time they were written as they are now. It is clear from these writings that Poe, Hawthorne, and Bryant were forefront writers in terms of influence within the Romantic movement.

Throughout history, various works of literature compelled the readers to feel a specific way. The authors used different techniques to illustrate emotions toward their audience. Specifically, Edgar Allan Poe, author of The Fall of the House of Usher, uses literary elements, such as imagery, characterization and word choice, to portray the build up the sense of horror.

A young man ran away from a heap of ruins. He had witnessed the death of his best friend and his home but he ran away as it happened. At the moment, all was silent and not even a squeak could be heard. But if a house collapsed in the middle of a forest, and no one was around to hear it, did it make a sound? With such wonders, death, and darkness also come the work of Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar Allan Poe is known as a literature legend. He wrote many complicated horror and detective fiction stories, which also represents the artsy twentieth century (“Poe” 1316). Many of his works are poems and short stories. As for his life, it started out pretty gloomily. Both of Poe’s parents had died and he was then sent to an orphanage shortly after. He was

There is no tour of the crypt? A well known short story called “the Fall of the House of Usher,” by Edgar Allen Poe was made into a movie in 1960 and there are many differences. In the movie the main character had a name. Also, the main character was engaged to Madeline. The main character was never sent a letter from Roderick Usher.

Nathaniel Hawthorne was one of America’s first romantic writers and his writings are still quite popular today. One of Hawthorne’s most popular short stories include the writing of “Young Goodman Brown.” What makes Hawthorne so progressive in today’s literary world is the fact that he makes a smooth transition from symbolism to allegory in his writings. Edgar Allan Poe uses a more gothic style of writing that gives his science fiction literature unique character. One of Poe’s more popular stories is “The Fall of the House of Usher” in which he uses deep symbolism and imagery to tell the story. Although both short stories portray critical use of allegory and symbolism, it is based upon opinion as to which story is the more superior. “Young Goodman Brown” is more superior because of its detailed characters, better use of literally techniques and deeper themes.

In the short story, "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allen Poe the most important conflict is between Rodrick Usher, the protagionist, and fear. The conflict increases throughout the story and is eventaully resolved. In the beginning of the story the tension starts when the narrator describes the house he is approaching. He uses words like "dull","dark", and "soundless" to set the mood of the story and then goes on to give the imagery of an eerie, evil house that is starting to fall apart. Upon arriving the narrator seeks his childhood friend Rodrick who is ill.