The Fall Of The House Of Usher Pdf
The Fall of the House of Usher is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe. First published in 1839, it is considered one of the author's most famous and influential works. The story focuses on the demise of the Usher family, who have fallen on hard times due to their ancestral home, the House of Usher, being in a state of disrepair. The story is a masterpiece of Gothic fiction, and its themes of madness, decay, and isolation continue to captivate readers to this day.
The Plot of The Fall of the House of Usher
The story begins with the unnamed narrator receiving a letter from his friend, Roderick Usher. In the letter, Usher describes his failing health and asks his friend to come and visit him at his family's ancestral home. The narrator arrives at the House of Usher, which is described as being in a state of decay and disrepair. He is greeted by Roderick, who is also in a state of mental and physical decay.Over the course of the story, the narrator learns that Roderick's twin sister, Madeline, is also ill and near death. Roderick becomes increasingly erratic and unstable, and the narrator begins to fear for his own safety. Eventually, Madeline dies and is entombed in a vault beneath the house. Roderick is inconsolable in his grief, and the narrator reads to him from a book to help calm him. As he reads, strange noises emanate from the house, and Roderick becomes convinced that his sister is not dead and will return to seek revenge on him. In a terrifying climax, Madeline does indeed rise from her tomb, and both she and Roderick are consumed by the House of Usher as it collapses in on itself.
The Themes of The Fall of the House of Usher
The Fall of the House of Usher is a classic example of Gothic fiction, and it explores several themes that are common to the genre. One of these themes is decay, which is evident in the state of the House of Usher and the mental and physical deterioration of the Usher family. Isolation is also a theme, as the family has become cut off from the outside world and is living in their own private universe. The story also deals with madness, which is a common trope in Gothic fiction.
The Literary Significance of The Fall of the House of Usher
The Fall of the House of Usher is considered one of Edgar Allan Poe's most important works, and it has had a lasting impact on literature. The story is often cited as an example of Gothic fiction, and its influence can be seen in the works of other writers such as H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King. The story's themes of decay, isolation, and madness are still relevant today, and its haunting imagery and foreboding atmosphere continue to captivate readers.
The Fall of the House of Usher Pdf - Where to Find It
The Fall of the House of Usher is in the public domain, which means that it is available for free online. There are several websites where you can download the story in Pdf format, including Project Gutenberg and ManyBooks. These sites offer a wide variety of classic literature for free, making them a great resource for avid readers.
Conclusion
The Fall of the House of Usher is a classic tale of Gothic fiction that continues to captivate readers with its haunting imagery, foreboding atmosphere, and themes of decay, isolation, and madness. The story's literary significance cannot be overstated, and its influence can be seen in the works of other writers to this day. If you haven't read The Fall of the House of Usher yet, you should definitely add it to your reading list!
