ia. Of course, we know that “Annabel Lee” was also about her death, but “The Raven” was a darker tale of Poe blaming himself for her untimely passing. Other works that cast a shadow of gloom and suggest his fascination with death, include, “The Cask of Amontillado” and “Lenore”. One short story in particular, which leaves a lot for the imagination to ponder is, “The Fall of the House of Usher”. Is it a story filled with symbolism or should it all be taken literally? Is it a satire? Did Poe have a friend which he modeled the character, Roderick Usher, after or was that Poe himself? Those were the questions that arose upon reading this story.He sets an eerie imagery of this house in the beginning, almost personifying its features. It was as if he was suggesting that the house held a certain master, as with the constant mention of its “vacant and eye-like windows”. “It was a mystery all insoluble; nor could I grapple with the shadowy fancies that crowded upon me as I pondered. I was forced to fall back upon the unsatisfactory conclusion, that while beyond doubt, there are combinations of very simple natural object which have the power of thus affecting us, still the analysis of this power lies among considerations beyond our depth” (1270). He uses constant metaphoric references to the house and emphasizes the significance of his human-like presence. It is a possibility that the House has become a parallel symbol of Usher of Poe Himself. Once upon a time this House was a safe haven for the Usher family, but after being consumed by all the evils (dark family secrets), it has become a tormenting reminder of sins. The decaying of this House was a symbolic parallelism to the decaying of Roderick Usher and Lady Madeline’s health.The character, Roderick Usher, bared a striking resemblance to Poe. It would not be too inconceivable to assume tha...
