derick’s fear increases and his insanity becomes more evident. “He roamed from chamber to chamber with hurried, unequal, and objectless step. The pallor of his countenance has assumed, if possible, a more ghastly hue”(469). The narrator closely studied Roderick and tried to understand his fears, while at the same time he was ignoring the inception of his own fears. Inevitably, the dramatic and intense fear was passed on to the narrator. The narrator does not recognize that his feeling are derived from the fear within him. When Madeline returns from her supposed death both the characters become paralyzed by fear. Roderick is ultimately destroyed by his biggest fear, fear itself. The narrator escaped form the house and its eventual collapse, but not necessarily the fear endured. This seems to suggest that fear is continuous and that no salvation exists. The recurring concept of fear in the story shows its power and impact on humanity. Poe shows that ultimately we must recognize our fears in order to overcome them. Although Roderick is very much alive, his appearance would indicate death and his behavior show signs of deteriorating sanity. “The fissure in the house seen earlier by the narrator symbolizes Roderick’s deteriorating mental condition, as well”(Lopez, Steve, pg.3). Upon the narrator’s entrance into the room, Roderick remarks on “the solace he expected to afford him”(Poe, 668). Perhaps Roderick knows of some evil to come and he occupies his time with reading, music and the company of his old friend so that he will not go crazy. This indicates that perhaps Roderick is aware of some supernatural element belonging to the house. The fact that the two remaining members of the House of Usher appear so deathly, may be a sign of the final end to the family. Later, upon putting Madeline’s supposedly dead body in a vault, the narrator notices the unusually healthy compl...
