“The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe: Critique

Introduction: “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe: A Critique

“The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe appeared in 1839 and tells the story of a young man, the narrator, who visits his friend Roderick Usher, a reclusive and eccentric aristocrat, in his decaying and isolated mansion. As the story unfolds, the reader learns of the Usher family’s dark and twisted history, and witnesses the mental and physical decay of both the house and its inhabitants. Through its eerie and haunting atmosphere, vivid imagery, and exploration of the themes of madness and the supernatural, “The Fall of the House of Usher” is considered one of Poe’s most celebrated and influential works of Gothic fiction.

Main Events in “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

1. Summoning: The narrator receives a letter from his childhood friend, Roderick Usher, pleading for his presence at the Usher estate.
2. Arrival and observation: Upon arrival, the narrator notes an atmosphere of decay surrounding both the mansion and Roderick Usher himself.
3. Roderick’s condition: Usher reveals a debilitating mental illness characterized by hypersensitivity, morbid dread, and a belief in the house’s sentience.
4. Madeline’s illness: Roderick’s twin sister, Madeline, suffers from a mysterious, wasting condition that eventually renders her catatonic.
5. Premature entombment: Madeline is declared dead, and Roderick insists on placing her within a family vault beneath the mansion.
6. Narrator’s unease: The narrator experiences a growing sense of dread and observes strange occurrences within the house, mirroring Usher’s deteriorating mental state.
7. Heightened tension: During a tumultuous storm, Usher becomes increasingly unhinged, claiming to hear sounds emanating from Madeline’s tomb.
8. Madeline’s escape: Madeline, alive but gravely weakened, reappears in the chamber, fulfilling Usher’s terrifying prophecies.
9. Fatal collapse: Overcome by abject terror, Roderick dies. Madeline falls upon him and expires.
10. Narrator’s flight: The narrator flees the disintegrating mansion, witnessing its structural failure.
11. House collapses: A widening fissure in the facade causes the House of Usher to collapse entirely, sinking into the surrounding tarn.
12. Symbolic annihilation: The destruction of the house represents the final demise of the Usher bloodline.

Literary Devices in “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

Literary Device	Definition	Example from the Story
Symbolism	Use of objects, people, or places to represent abstract ideas	* The decaying House of Usher symbolizes the deterioration of the Usher family line and Roderick’s own mental state. * The spectral image of Madeline represents the inescapable weight of buried fears and anxieties.
Imagery	Vivid language that evokes the senses	“cold stone walls,” “empty eye-like windows,” “dead trees”
Foreshadowing	Hints of future events to create suspense	* The narrator’s initial feeling of unease upon seeing the house foreshadows the impending doom. * The fissure in the house’s facade foreshadows its eventual collapse.
Personification	Giving human traits to non-human things	“sickly, unhealthy air,” “house of gloom”
Atmosphere	The prevailing mood or feeling of a work	“a sense of heavy sadness,” “complete sadness of soul”
Alliteration	Repetition of consonant sounds at the start of words	“heavy and hopeless”
Metaphor	A comparison between two things without using ‘like’ or ‘as’	“heart of darkness” (referring to Roderick’s fear and anxiety)
Simile	Comparison between two things using ‘like’ or ‘as’	“[Roderick’s hair] seemed to lie upon the air, like the fine threads of a spider’s web.”
Gothic Elements	Themes of decay, death, the supernatural, and psychological terror	* The decaying mansion, Roderick’s morbid obsessions, Madeline’s premature burial, and her spectral return.
Unreliable Narrator	A narrator whose perspective may be limited or distorted	The narrator’s own anxiety and biases may color his descriptions.
Doubling	Pairing characters or elements to reflect and contrast one another	Roderick and Madeline as twins highlight the theme of the interconnectedness of life and death.
Hyperbole	Exaggeration for emphasis and dramatic effect	“I must die of this fool’s sickness. In this way, this way and no other way, I shall be lost.” (Roderick on his fear)
Juxtaposition	Placing contrasting elements together to highlight differences	The decaying house juxtaposed with the vibrant “green valley” in Roderick’s song “The Haunted Palace” emphasizes its unnatural state.
Synaesthesia	The blending of sensory experiences	“sickly increase in the feeling of all the senses” (Roderick’s hypersensitivity).

Characterization in “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

Roderick Usher

• Physical Decay: His appearance is strikingly deteriorated: “gray-white skin,” “eyes large and full of light,” “hair of great softness.” This reflects the decay of the Usher family and his own mental decline.
• Hypersensitivity: His senses are painfully heightened, leading him to be overwhelmed by light, sounds, and textures. This symbolizes his extreme psychological fragility.
• Mental Instability: Plagued by crippling anxiety and a “morbid acuteness of the senses,” Roderick experiences a world distorted by fear and paranoia. His art and music also reflect this instability.
• Obsession with the Supernatural: Roderick is fascinated by the idea of the house having sentience, believing it wields power over him. This suggests a blurring of reality and fantasy in his mind.
• Familial Connection: Roderick is consumed by the Usher lineage and fears the dwindling of his bloodline with Madeline’s illness. This obsession binds him to the house and its decay.
• Paralysis of Will: Despite being aware of his deteriorating state, Roderick is incapable of breaking free from his fears and seems resigned to his fate.

The Narrator

• Outsider Perspective: Serves as a relatively normal, rational observer, highlighting the strangeness of the situation and Roderick’s decline by contrast.
• Growing Unease: The narrator starts as a concerned friend but becomes increasingly infected by the house’s oppressive atmosphere and Roderick’s anxiety.
• Sympathetic yet Limited: While he tries to help Roderick, the narrator cannot comprehend the depth of his friend’s mental anguish. His descriptions also shape our perception of the events.

Madeline Usher

• Ethereal Presence: Madeline is characterized by her illness, “wasting away” and being described as a spectral figure. This creates a sense of mystery and impending doom.
• Symbol of Repression: Her premature burial can be read as a symbol of Roderick’s buried fears and subconscious anxieties.
• The Return of the Repressed: Madeline’s climactic escape from the vault represents the uncontrollable return of what Roderick tried to suppress, ultimately leading to his demise.

Commentary

• Poe emphasizes Roderick’s mental state over his actions, creating a study in psychological horror.
• The ambiguity of the narrator’s reliability enhances the eerie atmosphere and invites multiple interpretations.
• The characters embody themes of decay, the power of fear, and the inescapable weight of the past.

Major Themes in “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

Theme 1: The Destructive Power of Fear

• Roderick Usher’s mental state is dominated by an all-consuming, formless fear. He states, “I shall die of this fool’s sickness. In this way, this way and no other way, I shall be lost. I fear what will happen in the future, not for what happens, but for the result of what happens.” His fear erodes his sanity and ultimately leads to his death.
• The oppressive atmosphere of the house itself seems to reflect and amplify Roderick’s fear, suggesting a link between the external environment and internal psychological states.
• The climactic return of Madeline, driven by her own fear of premature burial, reinforces the idea that fear can take on a destructive, uncontrollable power.

Theme 2: The Inevitability of Decay

• The House of Usher is in a state of advanced decay, both physically (the fissure in the facade) and metaphorically (the dwindling of the Usher bloodline). This symbolizes the inevitable decline of all things, both living and inanimate.
• Roderick’s physical and mental deterioration parallel the deterioration of the house. His hypersensitivity and mental instability mirror the fragility of his ancestral home.
• Madeline’s wasting illness further exemplifies physical decay, foreshadowing the ultimate collapse of both the Usher line and the family’s physical dwelling.

Theme 3: The Influence of Environment on the Psyche

• Roderick believes the House of Usher exerts a supernatural influence over him, shaping his thoughts and fears. He declares, “I feel that the time will soon arrive when I must lose my life, and my mind, and my soul, together, in some last battle with that horrible enemy: fear!”
• The narrator also becomes increasingly affected by the house’s oppressive atmosphere, his own anxiety mirroring Roderick’s. This suggests that environments can profoundly influence our mental and emotional states.
• The decaying mansion, with its gloomy atmosphere and lifeless surroundings, contributes to the characters’ sense of isolation and psychological deterioration.

Theme 4: The Blurring of Reality and the Supernatural

• Roderick’s belief in the house’s sentience and his obsession with the occult suggest an unstable grasp on reality. His perceptions are distorted by his fears and anxieties.
• The ambiguous nature of Madeline’s return from the vault leaves open the possibility of a supernatural event. Was it truly a resurrection, or is it a manifestation of Roderick’s guilt and fear brought to life?
• The story’s gothic atmosphere and unreliable narration create a sense of unease where the boundaries between the rational and supernatural world become blurred.

Writing Style in “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

Style Element	Definition & Purpose	Example from the Story
Atmospheric Descriptions	Vivid language to create a specific mood or feeling. Helps set the scene and immerse the reader in the story’s world.	“dull, dark, and soundless day,” “empty eye-like windows,” “decaying trees”
Gothic Elements	Themes of decay, death, the supernatural, and psychological terror. Creates a sense of unease and foreboding.	* The crumbling House of Usher, Roderick’s hyper-acute senses and morbid obsessions, Madeline’s premature burial and spectral return.
Symbolism	Objects, characters, or places representing abstract ideas. Adds layers of meaning and depth to the narrative.	The House of Usher symbolizes the decay of the family and Roderick’s mind. Madeline represents Roderick’s buried fears and anxieties.
Foreshadowing	Hints or clues about future events. Builds suspense and anticipation in the reader.	The narrator’s initial feeling of unease upon seeing the house foreshadows the impending doom.
Repetition	Repeating words or phrases for emphasis and rhythmic effect. Intensifies emotions and reinforces key ideas.	Roderick’s repeated insistence, “I must die of this fool’s sickness.”
First-Person Narration	The story is told from the perspective of a character within the narrative. Creates a sense of intimacy and subjective experience for the reader.	The unnamed narrator recounts his visit to Roderick Usher and shares his own observations and growing unease.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

Psychological/Psychoanalytic Criticism

• Focuses on unconscious drives, repressed desires, and the impact of childhood experiences on behavior.
• Roderick Usher: His extreme anxiety and morbid fears could be interpreted as manifestations of repressed trauma or deep-seated psychological issues.
• The House: The house could symbolize Roderick’s troubled mind, with its dark corners and hidden spaces representing unconscious anxieties.
• Madeline: Madeline’s premature burial and spectral return might represent repressed fears or desires that cannot be fully contained.

Gothic Criticism

• Highlights themes of decay, death, the supernatural, and psychological terror. Explores the appeal of fear and the power of the irrational.
• The House: Classic Gothic setting – crumbling, isolated, shrouded in mystery.
• Roderick’s Madness: His mental breakdown, hypersensitivity, and morbid obsessions are classic Gothic tropes.
• Ambiguous Ending: The supernatural element (Madeline’s return) and the collapse of the house fit squarely within Gothic conventions.

Feminist Criticism

• Examines gender roles, power dynamics, and the representation of women in literature.
• Madeline: Confined, passive, and defined by her illness. Her primary role is as an object of fear and mystery.
• Female Entrapment: The motif of live burial could be seen as a metaphor for the restrictive roles imposed on women of the time.

Reader-Response Criticism

• Emphasizes the reader’s role in constructing meaning from the text. Acknowledges that different interpretations are possible.
• Ambiguity: The story’s open-ended elements (cause of Madeline’s return, the significance of the house’s collapse) invite multiple readings.
• Personal Resonance: Readers may have widely different emotional responses to the story based on their own fears and experiences.

Formalist/New Criticism

• Focus on the structure, form, and literary devices within the text itself, independent of broader context.
• Symbolism: Analyzing the symbolic significance of the House, Roderick’s paintings, the poem “The Haunted Palace,” etc.
• Unreliable Narrator: Examining how the narrator’s limited perspective shapes our understanding of events.

Questions and Thesis Statements about “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

Topic	Questions	Thesis Statement Examples
The Nature of Fear	* How does Poe create a sense of fear and dread in the story? * What are the different manifestations of fear experienced by the characters? * To what extent is fear a destructive force in the narrative?	* In “The Fall of the House of Usher,” Poe masterfully manipulates atmosphere and psychological tension to reveal the destructive power of unchecked fear.*
Mental Illness and Sanity	* How does Poe depict mental illness in the character of Roderick Usher? * What factors contribute to Roderick’s deteriorating mental state? * Is the narrator a reliable observer of Roderick’s behavior?	* “The Fall of the House of Usher” offers a chilling exploration of the fragility of the mind, questioning the boundaries between sanity and madness.*
The Power of the Environment	* How does the House of Usher and its surroundings influence the characters’ moods and behaviors? * Is there a supernatural element to the house’s power, or is the effect purely psychological? * To what extent does environment shape our psychological states?	* In “The Fall of the House of Usher,” the decaying mansion serves as both a reflection of and catalyst for Roderick’s psychological deterioration, demonstrating the profound impact of environment on the psyche.*
Gothic Elements	* How does Poe utilize gothic elements like crumbling settings, supernatural themes, and psychological terror? * What is the purpose/effect of these gothic conventions in the story?	* “The Fall of the House of Usher” exemplifies the gothic tradition through its decaying setting, exploration of madness, and ambiguous supernatural elements, creating an atmosphere of unease and morbid fascination.*
Symbols and Motifs	* What are the major symbols in the story (the house, Madeline, the fissure, etc.)? * How do these symbols contribute to the story’s themes and meaning? * Are there any recurring motifs that reinforce the story’s overall effect?	“The Fall of the House of Usher” employs rich symbolism, with the crumbling mansion, spectral Madeline, and the fissure in the facade representing decay, repressed anxieties, and the fragility of both the family and Roderick’s mind.

Short Question-Answers about “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

• What is the mood of “The Fall of the House of Usher” and how does Poe create it?
• The mood of “The Fall of the House of Usher” is one of gloom, despair, and unease. Poe creates this mood through his use of vivid and unsettling imagery, such as the dark and decaying setting, the grotesque descriptions of Roderick Usher, and the strange sounds and smells that permeate the mansion. The use of Gothic themes and supernatural elements further contribute to the unsettling mood of the story.
• What is the relationship between Roderick Usher and his sister Madeline in “The Fall of the House of Usher”?
• Roderick and Madeline Usher are twins and have a close, almost inseparable relationship. It is suggested that they share a telepathic connection, and when Madeline falls ill and seemingly dies, Roderick is consumed by grief and despair. However, it is later revealed that Madeline was buried alive, and when she rises from her tomb, it is clear that their relationship is not entirely normal or healthy.
• What is the significance of the narrator’s unnamed status in “The Fall of the House of Usher”?
• The narrator’s unnamed status in “The Fall of the House of Usher” adds to the sense of mystery and unease that permeates the story. It also serves to emphasize the isolation and detachment of the Usher family, as the narrator is an outsider who is only briefly allowed into their world. Finally, the narrator’s anonymity allows the reader to more easily identify with their experiences and emotions, making the story more immersive and unsettling.
• How does “The Fall of the House of Usher” reflect the broader themes and styles of Gothic literature?
• “The Fall of the House of Usher” reflects many of the key themes and styles of Gothic literature, such as the use of dark and gloomy settings, supernatural elements, and vivid and unsettling imagery. The story also explores themes of madness, decay, and the destructive power of isolation and loneliness, which are common in Gothic literature. Additionally, the story’s emphasis on psychological horror and the exploration of the human psyche are hallmarks of the Gothic genre.

Literary Works Similar to “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

Literary Works Featuring Similarities to “The Fall of the House of Usher”

• Within Edgar Allan Poe’s Oeuvre: Poe’s signature motifs of psychological torment, the macabre, and the blurring of reality are evident in numerous works:
  • “The Tell-Tale Heart”: A chilling exploration of a guilt-ridden murderer’s unraveling psyche.
  • “The Cask of Amontillado”: Delves into the dark themes of revenge and calculated entrapment.
  • “The Raven”: A mournful poem fixated on themes of loss, despair, and hints of the supernatural.
• The Gothic Tradition: “The Fall of the House of Usher” embodies classic Gothic tropes:
  • The Castle of Otranto (Horace Walpole): A seminal Gothic novel featuring a haunted castle, hidden family secrets, and supernatural occurrences.
  • Frankenstein (Mary Shelley): Examines isolation, the dangers of scientific hubris, and the monstrous nature of unchecked creation.
  • Dracula (Bram Stoker): A quintessential Gothic horror novel utilizing decaying settings, a powerful supernatural antagonist, and the pervasive fear of the unknown.
• Psychological Horror: This genre, like Poe’s tale, emphasizes internal terror and explores the fragility of the human mind:
  • “The Yellow Wallpaper” (Charlotte Perkins Gilman): A disturbing portrayal of a woman’s descent into madness, potentially instigated by confinement and repression.
  • “The Turn of the Screw” (Henry James): Employs unreliable narration, a suspenseful atmosphere, and leaves the presence of supernatural forces open to interpretation.
• Southern Gothic: This subgenre often shares Poe’s interest in decay, grotesque characters, and an atmosphere of impending doom:
  • Works by William Faulkner (e.g., “A Rose for Emily“): Focuses on crumbling settings, the enduring influence of the past, and characters marked by eccentricity or hidden darkness.
  • Works by Flannery O’Connor (e.g., “A Good Man is Hard to Find”): Explores violence, moral ambiguity, and religious themes with a distinctly Southern sensibility.

Suggested Readings: “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

Academic Sources:

• Dayan, Joan. “Poe, Persons, and Property.” American Literary History, vol. 13, no. 3, 2001, pp. 405-425. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3568036. Explores the themes of personhood and possession through a legal framework in Poe’s works, including “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
• Kennedy, J. Gerald. “Poe, ‘Ligeia’, and the Problem of Dying Women.” New Essays on Poe’s Major Tales, edited by Kenneth Silverman, Cambridge University Press, 1993, pp. 113-129. Focuses specifically on the role of female characters and the theme of death in Poe’s works, with analysis of “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
• Regan, Robert. “Hawthorne’s ‘Plagiarism’: Poe’s Duplicity.” Nineteenth-Century Fiction, vol. 25, no. 3, 1970, pp. 281-298. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3044358. Examines the literary rivalry and cross-influences between Poe and Hawthorne, including accusations of plagiarism, which may shed light on Poe’s creative techniques.

Critical Essays and Websites:

• “Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’.” Shmoop, [invalid URL removed].
  • Provides a plot summary, analysis of key themes and symbols, and discussion questions.
• “The Fall of the House of Usher.” LitCharts, [invalid URL removed].
  • Offers detailed analysis, character breakdowns, and resources for deeper exploration.
• SparkNotes. “The Fall of the House of Usher.” www.sparknotes.com/lit/poestories/section7/
  • Includes a summary, themes, and character analyses with a focus on exam preparation.