The Fall of the House of Usher - Essay Example

The Fall of the House of Usher The narration is written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1839. The adaptation in the story is inclusive gothic themes and characters which are significant in the plot of the narration. Poe describes the creation of the house symbol as one that symbolizes the human spirit and soul. In the narration, there is a great similarity between the human characters and the non-human characters. The story is set in an epic theme a time framing properly fitting the plot of the story. Additionally, the narration incorporates themes on resurrection, vampires, and influence of the human body by the use of drugs. However, the narration excludes the definition of personal human relation or characters. Poe seeks to identify the connection between each and every character and the non-human characters. In an argument by Evans, Poe also connects the happening of nature to the happenings in the House of Usher (3). The author further points out that the creation of the slightest creation of a natural event like the rising of the moon can be connected to an event as created by Poe in the narration (Evans 3). In general, Poe narration is created to show the events and characters in the House of Usher who is the main character in the story. The narration by Poe incorporates two main complexities in the plot creation. Poe uses repetition heavily in the story. Additionally, Poe incorporates the use of the gothic genre in the creation of his plot. The two complexities are analyzed in the paper. One complexity used in the story is the use of repetition in the novel. Repetition is a stylistic way of writing in which the author repeats one phrase an event or an object. The main aim of repetition is to enable the audience to acknowledge the main aim of the author. In the narration, Poe repeats the term the house of Usher. Apart from the mentioning of the house, Poe describes the house of Usher rampantly across the entire novel. Immediately the narrator is introduced in the novel, Poe describe the house for the first time, with the first glimpse of the building, a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit (Evans 18). The first description of the house of Usher enables the reader to realize the situation in which the house is created to fit in the plot. Poe continues with this form of description in the narration, a pestilent and mystic vapor, dull, sluggish, faintly discernible, and leaden-hued (Evans 19). Poe also used repetition when referring to the House of Usher. The House of Usher is the title of the story which Poe wants the audience to relate to. The House of Usher is the main object in the story and the author seeks to enlighten the audience on its significance in the narration. Poe rampantly repeats the term House of Usher when referring to the dwelling place of Usher and his sister. In an argument by Evans the aim of using the term House of Usher is aimed at sensitizing the audience on the importance of the house in the plot of the novel (127). As a reader, the title the House of Usher exhibits the main feature in the story. The expectation of the reader is to develop the main aim behind the title. Additionally, the audience expects to be informed on the significance of the title across the entire narration. Poe realizes this and exposes the audience to the title rampantly across the entire narration. Poe also uses symbolism when referring to the house. At first the narrator describes the house with human like features; it had vacant and eye-like windows. This symbolism can be referred to as part for the repetition when describing the house of Usher. Repetition is also used when Poe talks about substance abuse and illnesses suffered by Usher in the story. At the start of the story, Poe highlighted numerous diseases from anxiety, sensory overload and hypochondria which Usher and Madeline are diagnosed with. In the entire story, Poe connects each happening to the condition suffered by the two siblings (Evans 102). For instance, when the narrator was narrating a story to Usher about a dragon, he starts to see real images of the dragon. Poe points out that this is caused by the diseases Usher is diagnosed with. Additionally, by Usher pointing out that he believes his sister is alive depicts the severity of the disease in his body. Poe also uses the same to diseases to justify the tribulation experienced by Madeline. In an argument by Evans, Poe diverts the attention of his audience from the gothic theme by explaining most events by referring to the mental condition of Usher and Madeline (123). However, the mental condition of the two siblings is mildly explained by one caused by drug abuse. Poe focuses his thoughts on rampantly citing that Usher uses drugs which the cause of his mental instability; he is like an irreclaimable eater of opium (Evans 76). Another complexity used in the story is the use of gothic genre. The gothic theme is use mainly in the creation of both the character of Usher and his sister. Additionally, the house itself is described with gothic terms by the narrator. The storyteller illustrates the house as a haunted crumbing castle (Evans 87). The author points out that the narrator is afraid of the house just by the look of it (Evans 87). The house is presented with human like features from its first description. The narrator relates to the windows which he describes them as possessing human like windows. In reference to a house, a human like a house is described as a gothic feature. The use of the gothic theme is used to describe the personal belief and character of Usher. Usher believes that he is entitled to bury his sister in the house. Additionally, Usher insists of burying his sister alive regardless of the protest of the narrator. In most cases, such a situation may be described as barbaric and satanic considering the fact that Usher was committing murder. Evans also argues that the fact that Usher buried his sister alive was the cause of the haunted nature of the house (99). The most astonishing use of the gothic genre is when Poe highlighted the resurrection of Madeline (Evans 90). The falling of the house of Usher was also gothic based, he turned around to watch the house split in to two (Evans 101). However, the use of the gothic theme is important in the continuity of the plot. The theme allows for the introduction of Madeline who is responsible for Usher’s death as well as falling of the house of Usher. Additionally, Evans argues that the fact that Usher buried her sister alive was also important since it led to the resurrection of Madeline in a spirit form (121). From this analysis, it is an obvious assumption that the use of the gothic theme and repetition is significant in the creation and continuity of the plot. Additionally, the two complexities are effectively created for the audience to understand the motive of the author in creating the plot. The gothic genre enables Poe to develop a plot that incorporates both human psychology and fictional narration in the story. On the other hand, repetition is created to enable the audience to effectively understand the most important feature of the plot like the house of Usher Work cited Evans, Walter. "The Fall of the House of Usher and Poes Theory of the Tale". Studies in Short Fiction 14. 2(1977): 137–144. Read More