The Fall of the House of Usher
American Romanticism
American Romanticism was a literary movement that flourished in the United States during the first half of the 19th century. It was a time of great change and excitement, as the young nation was rapidly expanding and developing its own unique identity. Romantic writers were fascinated by the power of imagination and emotion, and they often explored themes of nature, individuality, and the supernatural. They believed that intuition and feeling were just as important as reason and logic, and they celebrated the beauty and mystery of the natural world.
Some of the most famous American Romantic writers include Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, and Walt Whitman. Their works are still widely read and admired today, and they continue to inspire readers with their passionate exploration of the human spirit and the American experience.
One of the key characteristics of American Romantic literature is its emphasis on individualism and self-reliance. Romantic writers often portrayed characters who were outsiders or rebels, who rejected the conventions of society and followed their own paths. They believed that each person had a unique inner light, and that it was important to follow one's own intuition and conscience.
Another important theme in American Romantic literature is the power of nature. Romantic writers often used nature as a symbol of the divine, and they saw it as a source of inspiration and renewal. They believed that spending time in nature could help people to connect with their deeper selves and to find meaning and purpose in their lives.
American Romantic literature also often explored the darker side of human nature, such as the themes of guilt, sin, and redemption. Romantic writers were fascinated by the mysteries of the human psyche, and they often used their works to explore the complexities of human emotion and motivation.
Compared to its English counterpart, American Romanticism placed a stronger emphasis on self-reliance, democracy, and the exploration of the American landscape. While English Romantics often looked to the past for inspiration, American Romantics were more focused on the present and the future. They saw America as a land of opportunity and possibility, and they believed that it was up to each individual to create their own destiny. Additionally, American Romanticism explored themes of social justice and reform, reflecting the unique political and social context of the United States at the time.
American Romanticism was a rich and diverse literary movement that produced some of the most enduring works of American literature. Its emphasis on imagination, emotion, individuality, and nature continues to resonate with readers today, and its influence can be seen in many different genres of contemporary literature.
"The Fall of the House of Usher" - Edgar Allan Poe
"The Fall of the House of Usher" tells the tale of a nameless narrator who visits his old friend, Roderick Usher, at his creepy old mansion. Roderick and his twin sister, Madeline, are the last of the Usher family, and they're both really sick. Roderick is mentally ill and Madeline has a mysterious physical illness.
The house itself is a character in the story, decaying and mirroring the declining health of the Usher twins. The narrator tries to help Roderick, but things get weirder and weirder. Madeline dies, but she doesn't stay dead. She comes back, which leads to a terrifying climax where the house collapses and the Usher twins die.
The story explores themes like madness, isolation, and the spooky connection between the twins and their house. It's a classic example of Gothic literature, full of dark, eerie imagery and a sense of impending doom. Even though it's a short story, it leaves a lasting impression with its unsettling atmosphere and haunting ending.
"The Fall of the House of Usher"
Source: Project Gutenburg
"From that chamber, and from that mansion, I fled aghast. The storm was still abroad in all its wrath as I found myself crossing the old causeway. Suddenly there shot along the path a wild light, and I turned to see whence a gleam so unusual could have issued; for the vast house and its shadows were alone behind me. The radiance was that of the full, setting, and blood-red moon which now shone vividly through that once barely-discernible fissure of which I have before spoken as extending from the roof of the building, in a zigzag direction, to the base. While I gazed, this fissure rapidly widened—there came a fierce breath of the whirlwind—the entire orb of the satellite burst at once upon my sight—my brain reeled as I saw the mighty walls rushing asunder—there was a long tumultuous shouting sound like the voice of a thousand waters—and the deep and dank tarn at my feet closed sullenly and silently over the fragments of the “House of Usher.”"
Discussion questions
How does the house in the story reflect the Usher family?
Why does Madeline's "return" cause the house to fall?
What do you think the story says about mental illness?
Is the narrator a reliable source of information? Why or why not?
What role does art and creativity play in the story?