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Alberto J Ortiz Quiles

Prof. Cruz

INGL3104-116

Friday, February 23, 2024

Unraveling Symbolism in Poe's “The Fall of the House of Usher”

In "The Fall of the House of Usher," Edgar Allan Poe intricately weaves the destiny of

the Usher family with the decaying state of their ancestral home, crafting a narrative bursting

with symbolism that probes into themes of decay, familial demise, and the psychological

repercussions of one's surroundings. This essay asserts that the Usher mansion transcends its role

as a mere setting, serving instead as a dynamic emblem that mirrors the inhabitants' degenerating

lineage and mental decay.

The mansion's run-down condition symbolizes its residents' psychological and physical

decline. Poe's depiction of the house, with its "eye-like windows" and a facade inducing a

"sickening of the heart," vividly reflects Roderick Usher's morbid sensitivities and waning

mental health. This correlation intimates that the mansion's decay is not just physical but

emblematic of the Usher family's hereditary curse, culminating in their mental and physical

afflictions.

The Usher mansion's elaborate architecture and ancient lineage symbolize the family's

complex and tumultuous history. Described as having an "atmosphere which had no affinity with
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the air of heaven," the mansion mirrors the family's isolation and eventual decline. The exclusive

survival of Roderick and Madeline underscores the mansion's function as a mausoleum for the

Usher lineage, storing centuries of decay and insanity.

The narrative's climax, marked by Madeline and Roderick's climax, marked by Madeline

and Roderick's simultaneous demise alongside the mansion's collapse, emphasizes the abiding

bond between the Usher family and their home. This catastrophic event symbolizes the

termination of the Usher bloodline and the tangible culmination of their legacy. The mansion's

fall, concurrent with the last heirs' deaths, embodies Poe's exploration of the mutual dependence

between family legacy and their domicile, highlighting the inevitable collapse of both physical

and genealogical structures.

To further elaborate on this analysis, incorporating insights from scholarly interpretations

can provide a deeper understanding of Poe's use of symbolism and its implications on the

narrative's themes. Scholars have often noted the mansion's representation as a gothic element

that transcends mere setting, mirroring the character's psyche and symbolizing the Usher family's

inevitable demise.

Integrating scholarly commentary can offer subtle perspectives on Poe's symbolic use of

the mansion. For instance, critics have declared that the house embodies the Gothic tradition of

using architecture to reflect characters' inner turmoil and societal decay. Further examination of

such interpretations can enrich the essay's analysis, comprehensively exploring how the Usher
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mansion is a conduit for discussing broader themes of human psychology, familial legacy, and

the intersection of environment and identity.

Through a detailed analysis of "The Fall of the House of Usher," Edgar Allan Poe

presents the Usher mansion as a backdrop and a central figure that encapsulates the narrative's

core themes. The mansion's symbolic decay parallels the Usher family's psychological and

genealogical decline, serving as a critical commentary on the interplay between individuals and

their environments. By delving into the mansion's miscellaneous symbolism and incorporating

scholarly insights, this essay emphasizes Poe's masterful use of setting to strengthen his

exploration of decay, isolation, and the unavoidable grip of familial curses.

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Works Cited:

Poe, Edgar Allan. The Fall of the House of Usher. Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine, 1839.

Hiatt, Robert F. “Gothic Romance and Poe’s Authorial Intent in "The Fall of
The ...” ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University, Georgia State University, 16 June
2012, scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1135&context=english_theses.

Zhang, Hong. “The Fall of the House of Usher: The Collapse of Roderick’s Nostalgia
Mechanism.” English Language and Literature Studies, Canadian Center of Science and
Education, 4 Nov. 2021, ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ells/article/view/0/46246.