Edgar Allen Poe, The Fall of the House of Usher. An Analysis

Essai , 2010 , 4 Pages , Note: 89.3

Didactique de l'Anglais - Littérature, Œuvres

A short analysis of the literary elements contained in Edgar Allen Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The Fall of the House of Usher: Symbolism and Suspense
• A House Reflecting its Inhabitants
• The Narrator's Role and Rising Action
• The Storm and the Heightening of Tension
• The House as a Barometer of the Usher Bloodline

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This preview aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "The Fall of the House of Usher," highlighting its key elements and themes without revealing major plot points or spoilers. It explores how Poe uses symbolism, suspense, and the psychological theories of Freud and Jung to create a haunting atmosphere and a tragic narrative.

• The interconnectedness of the Usher family and their decaying house as a symbol of their decline and ultimate downfall.
• The role of the unnamed narrator in observing and experiencing the unsettling events within the Usher household.
• The manipulation of atmosphere and sensory details to evoke a sense of dread and paranoia in both the characters and the reader.
• The exploration of themes of incestuous relationships, mental illness, and the destructive nature of love and obsession.
• The use of literary devices such as symbolism, foreshadowing, and Gothic elements to create a chilling and unforgettable experience.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The story unfolds through the eyes of an unnamed narrator who arrives at the isolated and decaying Usher mansion, summoned by his friend Roderick Usher. The narrator is immediately struck by the eerie atmosphere and the unsettling behavior of Roderick, who suffers from a mysterious and debilitating illness. As the story progresses, the narrator witnesses the deterioration of both Roderick and his sister, Madeline, who is presumed to be dead and buried in a crypt below the house. The narrator becomes increasingly entangled in the unsettling events and becomes increasingly aware of the house's symbolic connection to the Usher family.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This preview focuses on Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," exploring themes of symbolism, suspense, Gothic literature, psychological elements, and the interconnectedness of family, dwelling, and decay. Key concepts include the Usher family's incestuous relationship, the house's symbolic representation of their decline, the narrator's role as an observer, and the utilization of Freudian and Jungian psychoanalysis in the narrative.

• Université: D'Youville College
• Note: 89.3
• Auteur: Nicholas Liberto (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2010
• Pages: 4
• N° de catalogue: V264864
• ISBN (ebook): 9783656540830
• ISBN (Livre): 9783656541141
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: fall, house, usher, analysis