Discussion Questions
Gloomy, dark, scary (Gothic) dull, dark, soundless autumn day clouds hung oppressively alone melancholy (sad) house of Usher
Direct line of descendents Paintings, music – Fuseli and von Weber Decorative- tapestries and armorial trophies
Has a mental condition cadaverousness- looks like a dead person Sloppy and unclean- hair grown out, tired Sad- talks about dying and worried about his sister Much different from when he was a boy
evil things in robes of sorrow- Ushers grief for himself and his sister hideous throng- wild mind of Usher
Always music playing Dream like paintings Difficult to tell the difference between reality and dreams (Fuseli paintings)
The crack in the wall- his mind Decayed trees- death
He wants to show a strong bond- both physically (twins) but mentally as well. They are nearly the same person in thought and action When Madeline dies, Roderick fully loses his mind
Roderick buries Madeline alive He is trying to end/cover up his insanity just as he is trying to end/cover up Madelines life
The house falls down fissure widened Mighty walls rushing asunder The family is finished Both Roderick and Madeline die
Fear-Surprise He thinks he has killed Madeline, but then she shows up alive Pg. 309 bore him to the floor a corpse
We need mental and physical health to survive