EDGAR ALLAN POE
Reading Guide: “The Fall of the House of Usher”
1. Note the epigraph. What is the purpose of an epigraph? As you read the story, consider
what the epigraph might mean.
2. Read the first paragraph slowly, listening for sound effects. Next reread the paragraph to
note diction. How does Poe use both sound and diction to create the mood of the
exposition? What word would you use to describe the
3. Note how Poe uses personification to describe the mansion. What human qualities does
the House of Usher have? What might be the significance?
4. Note the first-person narrator. What is his mental state?
5. Reader beware! Complete the line: “ . . . which I can compare to no earthly sensation
more properly than to the _______________.” Note the implication and suggestiveness.
6. The word “fancy” is an important word in the tales of both Poe and Hawthorne. The
authors use this word to mean what?
7. Note how the narrator tries to rely on his logic and reason to account for the bizarre
appearance of the House of Usher. Are logic and reason reliable in his situation? (Recall,
too, how the narrator in “The Tell-Tale Heart” tried to rely on his reason.)
8. What is a “tarn”? How does water function as an archetype in this story?
9. Why has Roderick Usher asked the narrator to visit him?
10. Were Roderick and the narrator really “intimate associates” since childhood? What detail
in the story makes you question the truthfulness of his statement?
11. What do we learn about the history of the house and the name “Usher”?
12. Note the admission of his “somewhat childish experiment.” Note the narrator’s admission
that “there grew in my mind a strange fancy.” What is happening to the narrator’s façade
he tried to present earlier in the story?
13. Note the atmosphere” surrounding the House of Usher. What might be the significance?
14. What does the narrator “shake off from his spirit”? What is the possible significance?
15. The “eye of a scrutinizing observer” might detect what about the House of Usher? Use
psychological criticism. What might Poe be suggesting?
16. What does the narrator ride over to enter the House of Usher? What might be suggested
by this act?
17. To where does the valet lead the narrator? Carefully note the words.
18. The valet (servant) throws open the door to the house of Usher and does what? Note the
pun.
19. Describe Roderick Usher’s room Note the windows. If the room represents Usher’ mind,
what would you say, based on a description of the room, is the state of his mind?
20. Note the description of Roderick Usher. Note his “incoherence.”
21. Note Roderick’s morbid acuteness of his senses.
22. Roderick admits that his behavior could be traced to what? Explain.
23. Describe Madeline. Examine her name: what are the first three letters? What might be her
disease?
24. Note that the narrator and Roderick paint together “as if in a _______.” Explore the
suggestiveness.
25. Note that the narrator cannot recall his studies. What might be happening to him?
26. Describe Roderick Usher’s painting. What might be the possible significance of this
painting?
27. Note the poem “The Haunted Palace.” What does the poem reveal about the Usher
family?
28. What kind of books are in Usher’s bookshelf? Why do you think Poe includes the
bookshelf?
29. What happens to Madeline? What does Roderick want to do with her? Why?
30. Note that Poe goes to great lengths to describe the crypt. Could anyone escape from it?
31. Describe Madeline’s corpse. Note her face.
32. What do the narrator and Roderick do to her coffin?
33. How does Roderick change after the burial?
34. How is Roderick’s behavior affecting the narrator?
35. On the eighth night, what natural (but spooky) events are happening outside?
36. Note how the story of Ethelred parallels Madeline’s return.
37. As the narrator reads, what does Roderick do?
38. What does Roderick call the narrator? How does he speak this line?
39. How do you account for Madeline’s return? What does Madeline do to Roderick?
40. As the narrator escapes, he turns back and sees what. Interpret!
CRITICAL THINKING
1. Connect “The Fall of the House of Usher” with “The Tell-Tale Heart.”
2. Is it possible that there is only the narrator and no Madeline and Roderick?
3. Is it possible that there is only the narrator and Roderick and no Madeline?