The Fall of the House of Usher

Discussion Questions

1. What is the mood at the beginning of the story, and how does Poe create this mood?

Gloomy, dark, scary (Gothic) “dull, dark, soundless autumn day” “clouds hung oppressively” “alone” “melancholy (sad) house of Usher”

2. Describe the history of the Usher family. What kinds of interests do they have? What kind of people are they? “Direct line of descendents” Paintings, music – “Fuseli” and “von

Weber” Decorative- “tapestries” and

“armorial trophies”

3. Describe Roderick Usher- his appearance, his weaknesses, his attitudes.

Has a mental condition “cadaverousness”- looks like a dead

person Sloppy and unclean- hair grown out,

tired Sad- talks about dying and worried

about his sister Much different from when he was a

boy

What happens in the poem “The Haunted Palace”? What are the parallels between the poem and the story of the Ushers?

“evil things in robes of sorrow”- Usher’s grief for himself and his sister

“hideous throng”- wild mind of Usher

5. Which descriptive details of the interior of the house suggest that the narrator has entered a realm that is quite different from the ordinary world?

Always music playing Dream like paintings Difficult to tell the difference

between reality and dreams (Fuseli paintings)

6. In what ways is the appearance of both the interior and exterior of the house related to Usher’s appearance and to the condition of his mind?

The crack in the wall- his mind Decayed trees- death

7. Poe chose to characterize Roderick and Madeline as twins, not simply as brother and sister. Why do you think he made this choice?

He wants to show a strong bond- both physically (twins) but mentally as well. They are nearly the same person in thought and action

When Madeline dies, Roderick fully loses his mind

8. What evidence is there to support the claim of some critics who have argued that Madeline and Roderick are actually physical and mental components of the same being?

Roderick buries Madeline alive He is trying to end/cover up his insanity

just as he is trying to end/cover up Madeline’s life

9. Explain the literal and figurative meanings of the title

The house falls down “fissure widened” “Mighty walls rushing asunder”

The family is finished Both Roderick and Madeline die

10. How does Roderick Usher die?

Fear-Surprise He thinks he has killed Madeline, but

then she shows up alive Pg. 309 “bore him to the floor a corpse”

11. What is Poe trying to say about life?

We need mental and physical health to survive