In the text of “The fall of the house of usher”, how does Edgar Allan poe use the symbol of the “house” to develop the theme of the story? Use specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

Answer 1

In "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe, the symbol of the "house" is used to develop the theme of decay, deterioration, and the interconnectedness of the physical and psychological aspects of the characters. Throughout the story, the physical deterioration of the Usher mansion mirrors the mental and emotional decline of the characters, particularly Roderick and Madeline Usher.

For example, the narrator describes the house as having "bleak walls" and "vacant eye-like windows" which give it an eerie, foreboding appearance. This reflects the emotional state of the Usher siblings and the oppressive atmosphere in the house. The crumbling, decaying mansion reflects the deterioration of the Usher family's lineage and the impending doom that hangs over them.

Additionally, the physical house is seen as a character in itself, influencing the mental state of the Usher siblings. The narrator notes that the house "seemed to have absorbed an evil and diseased atmosphere from the decaying trees and the gray walls." This absorption of evil is symbolic of how the house itself is a manifestation of the family's inner turmoil and maladies.

The house's eventual collapse at the end of the story symbolizes the final descent into madness and death, marking the culmination of the family's tragic fate. The connection between the physical and psychological aspects of the house and its inhabitants highlights the theme of decay and the inescapable influence of one's environment on their mental state.

In summary, Edgar Allan Poe uses the symbol of the "house" in the story to convey the theme of decay, deterioration, and the interplay between the physical and psychological realms. The house's dilapidation mirrors the mental decline of the characters, emphasizing the tragic and interconnected nature of their fates.