The Use of Imagery as a Literacy Device - Essay Example

The purpose of this paper is to analyze a single literary device depicted in Poe’s story. In as much as the story has a number of literary devices irony as imagery remains a dominant element of the work. It is quite ironical at the beginning of the story with a description of Roderick. Since he believes most of his family members are suffering from hyper reactivity he also believes to be suffering from the same disease. This is ironical as he concludes to be suffering from Hypochondriac according to family history.

For instance, the narrator says, “I was forced to fall back upon the unsatisfactory conclusion, that while, beyond doubt, there are combinations of extremely simple natural objects which have the power of thus affecting us, still the analysis of this power lies among considerations beyond our depth.” (Poe 06) This was in support of the fact that he believed with no doubt the sickness was a family sickness. Consequently, the story reveals irony, which makes the story fascinating as a disease, is only accorded one family.

Despite Roderick and Madeline being a brother and a sister they are involved in an intimate relationship. For instance in the story, “"Her decease," he said, with a bitterness which I can never forget, "would leave him (him the hopeless and the frail) the last of the ancient race of the Ushers." (Poe 16)This was a depiction of the relationship, which existed between the two, who were from a family of the ushers. It was, therefore, ironical for the two to engage in intimate relationship as this represented incest.

This is evidenced in the book when he says,” And thus, as a closer and still closer intimacy admitted me more unreservedly into the recesses of his spirit,” In addition, a sulphureous lustle is displayed among the characters who perceive themselves as sister and brother. From this perspective, irony manifests itself clearly leaving readers wondering what type of characters the two were (Poe and Lanier 36). The house of usher is full of ironical happenings, for instance, Roderick buries her sister alive to fulfill his prophecy.

According to his prophecy, the people suffering from hyperactive reactivity like his sister are supposed to get buried alive. This is ironical as to how one can bury another alive just because he feels she is sick. This is also ironical considering the incestuous relationship between Roderick and Madeline we expected him not only to show love to his sister as a lover, but also as someone passionate. It is expected when a person dies he does not resurrect; however, this is a common event in the story with Madeline resurrecting to meet his brother Roderick.

This is an ironical representation of unnatural characters who portray a bizarre of menacing events. Distress and agitation fills the bizarre occurrence of events as Madeline struggles out of the vault full of her, own blood, this is a horrifying scene (Poe 56). Vampirism of the last part of the story relays many messages to the readers who remain guessing what happened to the last duo of the family. In conclusion, irony becomes a major literary device used in the story dominating almost all the narration.

The fall of the house of usher manifests a disappearance of the family, which mainly suffers from a disease, aroused hyper reactivity. Several instances depict irony staring with the intimate relation