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THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER by Edgar Alan Poe

THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER by Edgar Alan Poe


Premonitions of Death in "The Fall of the House of Usher"

In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher",Poe uses the concept of death and Roderick's deteriorating mental condition in order to give a sense of foreboding and mystery to the story. It is this premonition of something dreadful to come which surrounds the characters of Roderick and Madeline Usher as the story progresses.
The narrator of the story, an old friend of Roderick Usher, is shocked by the ghastly appearance and odd behaviour of his long time acquaintance and it is from this impression and several odd occurances that he becomes increasingly uneasy. For example, upon seeing Roderick, the narrator remarks," cadaverous of complexion; an eye large, liquid and luminous beyond comparison; lips...pallid,....hair of ...web-like softness"(Poe, 667). Although Roderick is very much alive, his appearance would indicate death and his behavior shows signs of deteriorating sanity. "The fissure in the house seen earlier by the narrator symbolizes Roderick's deteriorating mental condition, as well"(Burduck,72). Upon the narrator's entrance into the room, Roderick remarks on "'the solace he expected [the narrator] to afford him'"(Poe, 667). Throughout the story, Roderick and the narrator also keep themselves occupied by reading and playing music; however, Roderick previously remarks that he '"[dreads] the events of the future,'" and '"must reason together in [his] struggles with some fatal demon of fear'"(Poe,668). Perhaps Roderick knows of some evil to come and he occupies his time with reading, music, and the company of his old friend so that he will not go crazy. In addition to the previous observations by the narrator, he also notes that Roderick is,"Enchained by certain superstitious impressions in regard to the dwelling which he tenant[s]"(Poe, 668). This indicates that perhaps Roderick is aware of some supernatural element belonging to the house.
In addition to Roderick's appearance and behaviour, the narrator is shocked to see the similarity in Madeline and Roderick's appearance. The fact that the two remaining members of the House of Usher appear so deathly, may be a sign of the final end to the House of Usher. Later, upon putting Madeline's supposedly dead body in a crypt, the narrator notices her complexion as having,"the mockery of a faint blush"(Poe, 672). Although the narrator notices the unusually healthy comlexion of the deceased Madeline, he tries to rationalize what he sees by concluding that it must have been caused by her particular illness. The fact that the color in her face is even mentioned may be a sign that perhaps she is not really dead and that Madeline may appear in the story later. The narrator remarks," There were times, indeed, when I thought his unceasingly agitated mind was laboring with an oppressive secret, to divulge which he struggled for the necessary courage"(Poe, 673). The narrator also comments on how Roderick seems to stare at nothing and appears to be "listening to some imaginary sound"(Poe,673). Again, this may be another hint of some evil occurrence yet to happen and Roderick does in fact lose his sanity as well as his life when Madeline reappears before Roderick and the narrator at the end of the story.
Poe's use of imagery in describing Roderick's appearance as well as his mental condition are instrumental in giving a sense of dread and foreboding to the story.The explanations for Madeline's return from the grave may be anything from her being a vampire to her merely having been in a coma, yet Edgar Allan Poe's conlusion to "The Fall of the House of Usher" is no doubt an exciting and terrifying end to a suspensful story.

The Presence of Fear in "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Fear is a basic element of human emotion that is caused by the expectation or realization of danger. The existence of fear is essential for establishing our beliefs and the actions we take throughout our lives. Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" revolves around this realm of fear, and reveals the importance of facing and overcoming our fears. Poe suggests in the story that the denial of our fears can lead to madness and insanity. This message is especially clear as we follow the deterioration of Roderick Usher's mind and the resulting impact on the narrator of the story.
Upon entering the house, the narrator discovered the true source of Roderick's illness. "I feel that I must inevitably abandon life and reason together in my struggles with some fatal demon of fear" (668). Roderick is overwhelmed by the fear he is experiencing and it affects every aspect of his life. It is the constant presence of fear that has caused his illness. Roderick does not know how, or is unwilling to try to overcome his fears.
One of Roderick's fears is death. He is from a "time-honored" and prestigious family. Roderick and his sister are the last of the long line of Usher descendants. "Her decease would leave him the last of the ancient race of the Ushers" (668). Roderick seems not only to fear death but also the uncertainty the future holds.
The narrator of the story states that Roderick's fear may be linked directly to the house. "He is enchained by certain superstitious impressions in regard to the dwelling which he tenanted, and from which, for many years, he had never ventured forth" (668). The narrators is implying that Roderick's mental condition may be relieved by him leaving the house and facing his fears. Because of Roderick's fear, however, he is restrained from leaving and does not make the attempt to defeat this enduring power that holds him captive.
After Madeline is placed into the vault, Roderick's fear increases and his insanity become more evident. "He roamed from chamber to chamber with hurried, unequal, and objectless step. The pallor of his countenance has assumed, if possible, a more ghastly hue--" (673). The narrator closely studied Roderick and tried to understand his fears, while at the same time he was ignoring the inception of his own fears. Inevitably, the dramatic and intense fear was passed on to the narrator. "It was no wonder that his condition terrified-that it agitated me" (673). This statement indicates the character that has maintained his rationality has, at this point, also succumbed to fear. The narrator does not recognize that his feeling are derived from the fear within him.
When Madeline returns from her supposed death both characters become paralyzed by fear. Roderick is ultimately destroyed by his biggest fear, that is, fear itself. He brings about his own illness and death by refusing to face and conquer his fears. The narrator escaped from the house and its eventual collapse, but there is no indication that this escape frees him from his fears. This seems to suggest that fear is continuous and that no salvation exists.
The recurring concept of fear in the story shows its power and impact on humanity. Fear can be beneficial by restraining us from actions that lead to harm and danger. Poe, however, takes this to the extreme by showing the negative influences of fear. Fears can restrain us from actions that could be beneficial and excessive fear can lead to insanity. He also show us that fear can be passed on to others. Ultimately the story shows us that we must recognize our fears to be able to overcome them.