Edgar Allen Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Paper Summary:

In this paper, the author examines the use of symbolism in "The Fall of the House of Usher" and the themes that run throughout the story. The paper takes a look at the the duality of the house which comes to represent family and home.

From the Paper:

"The genre of Romanticism is essential to cultural and literary history; its popularity can be attributed to humanity's fascination with the dark and unknown and also its profound interest in the pain and downfall of others. Edgar Allan Poe was instrumental in establishing the foundation of Romanticism that is best known today; his works concern themselves primarily with the occult and the enigmas prevalent within the human psyche. His story "The Fall of the House of Usher" details the psychological and physical demise of the family Usher; Poe translates atmosphere and setting into the characters in the story, and also transfers human qualities into the actual house, which comes to function as a symbol of the Usher family. The title of the story also represents a duality; ultimately, the house is physically destroyed, as is the family. The house of Usher is clearly the personification of the Usher family; the house symbolizes the Usher family's decline into madness and the eventual demise of the family."

More papers on Edgar Allen Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher":

• Analytical Essay # 62509 : "Edgar Allen Poe: Forever Locked in Memory"
• Analytical Essay # 29913 : "Edgar Allen Poe"
• Analytical Essay # 40036 : "The Darkness Within: Imagining Edgar Allen Poe"
• Book Review # 122075 : "Symbolism in "The Fall of the House of Usher"

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