The Fall of the House of Usher Characters
The main characters in "The Fall of the House of Usher" are the narrator, Roderick Usher, and Madeline Usher.
-
The narrator is Roderick’s childhood friend. The narrator comes to visit Roderick in order to cheer him up and restore his health. He is the only surviving witness to the events of the story.
-
Roderick Usher is a hypochondriac who is plagued by guilt at the prospect of having buried Madeline alive.
-
Madeline Usher is Roderick’s twin sister, who supposedly dies from a mysterious illness. After escaping from her premature burial, she seeks out Roderick, and the last two Ushers die together.
Characters
Roderick Usher
Roderick Usher stands at the heart of "The Fall of the House of Usher," embodying the complex interplay of madness, fear, and artistic temperament. As the last surviving male of his family, Roderick exhibits traits typical of a Poe character, with his mental state teetering on the brink of insanity. His "morbid acuteness of the senses" renders him hypersensitive to stimuli such as light and sound, contributing to his perpetual state of agitation and fear. This is compounded by his belief that the Usher lineage is cursed, a conviction that envelops him in dread as he resides in the decaying family estate.
Characterized by his cadaverous complexion, lustrous eyes, and delicate features, Roderick's physical appearance mirrors his internal decay. He is a man of contradictions, shifting from bouts of "frantic vivacity" to melancholic sullenness. His efforts to maintain sanity through artistic pursuits like painting, music, and literature seem feeble against his growing unease. The detailed description of his appearance, particularly his face and head, invites comparisons to portraits of Edgar Allan Poe himself.
Roderick's relationship with his twin sister Madeline is central to the story's unfolding tragedy. Her illness and eventual death plunge him further into despair, an oppressive secret weighing heavily on him. The climactic moment occurs when Madeline returns from her premature burial, leading to their simultaneous death. This dramatic conclusion underscores the interconnected fates of Roderick, Madeline, and the Usher family.
Critics have interpreted Roderick's character in various ways. Some view him as a symbol of the Usher family's incestuous history, while others see him as a representation of the troubled artist. Alternatively, in readings of the story as a supernatural horror tale, Roderick embodies the essence of evil.
Madeline Usher
Madeline Usher, a haunting and ethereal presence in the narrative, is Roderick's identical twin, albeit inaccurately described since twins of different sexes cannot be identical. Her presence looms large, despite her limited appearances. Madeline is afflicted with a mysterious illness, characterized by cataleptic episodes that render her motionless for extended periods, evoking feelings of dread and astonishment in the narrator.
The circumstances surrounding Madeline's death and burial significantly contribute to the story's atmosphere of suspense and horror. She is interred with an unsettling expression, a "faint blush" and "suspiciously lingering smile" suggesting she may not be entirely deceased. Her return from the grave is both a literal and symbolic resurrection, culminating in her final confrontation with Roderick, which results in their mutual demise.
Madeline's condition has led to various interpretations, with some suggesting it symbolizes the degeneration resulting from generational incest within the Usher family. Others propose that her character might possess supernatural attributes, such as vampirism, adding layers of complexity to her role in the story.
The Narrator
The unnamed narrator, a childhood friend of Roderick Usher, serves as the reader's lens into the world of the Usher family. Despite his long-standing acquaintance with Roderick, he admits to knowing little about him due to Roderick's habitual reserve. The narrator arrives at the Usher estate at Roderick's urgent behest, intended to relieve his friend's suffering. However, he soon finds himself enveloped in the house's oppressive atmosphere, "insufferable gloom," and the eerie dynamics between Roderick and Madeline.
Throughout the story, the narrator struggles to rationalize the unsettling events, striving to maintain an objective perspective. Yet, his growing unease and horror are palpable, culminating in the story's conclusion where he flees the collapsing mansion. His experiences have prompted varied interpretations, with some seeing him as a rational observer, while others suggest he might be an unreliable narrator, possibly complicit in or hallucinating the events he describes.
In many ways, the narrator functions as a stand-in for the reader, bearing witness to the mysterious and macabre occurrences within the Usher household. His final flight from the scene echoes the reader's own escape from the chilling narrative.
Expert Q&A
What is the situation revolving around the characters in Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher"?
The situation involving the characters in "The Fall of the House of Usher" centers on the impending doom of the Usher family and their ancestral home. Roderick Usher, suffering from a severe psychological disturbance, invites the narrator to stay with him due to his concerns over his sister Madeline's deteriorating health. This atmosphere of dread and the family's mysterious curse primarily affect Roderick, Madeline, and the narrator.
The Narrator
The unnamed narrator is the first character introduced, and he tells the story from his perspective. He is a childhood friend of Roderick’s and says little else about himself except to give his impressions of the story's events. Throughout “The Fall of the House of Usher” he notices strange things, such as the mist rising from the tarn, Roderick’s growing madness, and his own feelings of fear, but he often dismisses them as products of his imagination or superstition. He attempts to explain any strange event with reason, approaching the situation rationally. He refers to Roderick as a hypochondriac and believes that his strange illness is illusory. However, at the end of the story, the narrator never states definitively whether or not he believes the events at the House of Usher are supernatural or merely the product of fear and the mind. He is the only witness to the end of the Usher line. He is the only one to see the Ushers die and the house sink into the tarn. He leaves the House of Usher in a state of panic and ends his story there.
Expert Q&A
How does the narrator assist Usher after Madeline's death in "The Fall of the House of Usher"?
After Madeline's death, the narrator assists Roderick Usher by helping to entomb her body in a vault beneath the house. They place her in a coffin, noting her lifelike appearance, and secure the vault. The narrator observes Roderick becoming increasingly terrified in the days following. He attempts to calm Roderick by reading to him, but this fails. Ultimately, Madeline reappears alive, leading to Roderick's death, and the narrator escapes as the house collapses.
Is the narrator in "The Fall of the House of Usher" a static or dynamic character?
The narrator in "The Fall of the House of Usher" is a static character. He serves primarily as an observer and storyteller, providing an objective account of the events at the Usher house. His demeanor and tone remain consistent throughout the story, as he maintains a calm and polite disposition despite the bizarre occurrences. The story's brevity and the narrator's role as an impartial witness contribute to his static nature.
What startles the narrator about Usher's appearance and behavior in "The Fall of the House of Usher"?
The narrator is startled by Roderick Usher's drastically changed appearance and behavior. Usher's features are exaggerated, his hair is soft and web-like, and his face is ghostly pale with a strange luster in his eyes. Initially perceived as overly cordial, Usher's demeanor is actually sincere but unsettling. These physical changes, along with the decaying mansion, create an ominous atmosphere foreshadowing the gothic events and mental deterioration to come.
What did the narrator notice when he helped Roderick bring his sister to the tomb?
In "The Fall of the House of Usher," when helping Roderick bring his sister into the tomb, the narrator notices that Madeline bears a striking resemblance to Roderick and that Madeline bears signs of vitality, despite her supposedly being dead.
How is the narrator affected by Usher's conflict?
The narrator is deeply affected by Roderick Usher's conflict, initially feeling "startled and even awed" by Usher's gloomy and nervous state. Over time, the narrator adopts Usher's dark mood and superstitions, leading to a growing sense of horror. This culminates in the narrator's complete terror when Madeline's bloody body emerges from the tomb, causing him to flee the crumbling house in horror.
In "The Fall of the House of Usher," what is the narrator's impression of Usher's mental state and what is the significance of his interests in art, natural science, and his "rhapsody," "The Haunted Palace"?
The narrator perceives Usher's mental state as incoherent and inconsistent, characterized by a "nervous agitation" and "morbid acuteness of the senses." Usher's interests in art and music, particularly his "rhapsody" "The Haunted Palace," reflect his mental decline and foreshadow the fall of the House of Usher. These interests reveal Usher's belief in the sentience of his ancestral home, intertwining his fate with the decaying mansion, ultimately leading to the story's tragic conclusion.
Are there any clues indicating the narrator's own need for a cure in "The Fall of the House of Usher"?
Why is the narrator "forcibly impressed" with Usher's performance of "The Haunted Palace"?
The narrator is "forcibly impressed" by Usher's performance of "The Haunted Palace" due to Usher's fragile mental state and intolerance for most music, making his ability to perform surprising. The performance's theme, depicting a palace's descent into gloom, mirrors the narrator's perception of the House of Usher, thus foreshadowing the story's tragic conclusion. This alignment between Usher's condition and the poem's subject deeply affects the narrator.
In "The Fall of the House of Usher," how does Poe make the narrator a character? How reliable is he?
In "The Fall of the House of Usher," Poe makes the narrator a character by involving him directly in the events, primarily through his interactions with Roderick Usher. The narrator provides an insider's perspective, offering exposition and insight into the Usher siblings. His reliability is ambiguous; while he appears rational and analytical, the surreal events and his potential mental deterioration raise doubts about his credibility. The story leaves open the possibility of hallucination or fabrication.
Analysis of the Narrator's Identity and Role in "The Fall of the House of Usher"
The narrator in "The Fall of the House of Usher" serves as an objective observer and a friend to Roderick Usher. His identity remains largely ambiguous, enhancing the story's eerie and mysterious atmosphere. Through his perspective, readers witness the decay of both Roderick and the house, emphasizing themes of madness, fear, and the supernatural.
Roderick Usher
Roderick Usher and the narrator are childhood friends, but Roderick has changed drastically since the narrator last saw him. He is now pale and wispy-haired. In the beginning, he goes back and forth from sullenness and nervous agitation to liveliness. A mysterious and incurable illness plagues him and causes his senses to be highly reactive. It is unclear whether he is actually sick or if he is a hypochondriac who is going insane from fear and isolation.
Roderick spends his time reading, writing music, and painting. The painting that Roderick creates is of a long, dark, underground tunnel. Strange beams of light glow from the canvas, and the narrator finds them grotesque. Roderick also writes a song about a prosperous palace that falls victim to evil and sorrow. The song and the painting reflect Roderick’s feelings about the decay of his home, the inevitable end of his family line, and his own declining health.
When Madeline dies, Roderick has her buried quickly in a basement vault. Roderick’s condition deteriorates, and he abandons his former hobbies, taking to hurriedly roaming through the house and staring into vacant corners. He is superstitious and constantly afraid. The night of the storm, Roderick comes to the narrator’s room in a state of hysteria and shows him the glowing atmosphere emanating from the house and the grounds. When the narrator begins to read a story to calm him, Roderick sits in a chair and mumbles. In his mumblings he reveals that he has been hearing scrapings from Madeline’s vault all week, and he fears he buried her alive. The prospect of burying Madeline prematurely fills him with guilt, contributing to his descent into madness. All of Roderick’s worst fears are confirmed when Madeline returns and collapses on him, killing them both. The house sinks into the tarn, forever burying the last of the Usher line.
Expert Q&A
How would you characterize Roderick Usher's relationship with his sister?
Roderick Usher's relationship with his sister Madeline is deeply intertwined and unsettling. As twins from an inbred family line, they share a unique and almost supernatural bond, both physically and psychologically. This connection is so intense that Roderick physically reacts to Madeline's cataleptic condition. Their relationship is emblematic of the decay and doom that pervades the Usher family, culminating in their deaths and the literal collapse of their ancestral home.
What is the significance of a stanza from Roderick Usher's poem "The Haunted Palace" in relation to its author's character?
The stanza from "The Haunted Palace" reflects Roderick Usher's character through its themes of decay, madness, and obsession, paralleling the decline of Usher's family and home. Poe's focus on musical beauty and enigmatic imagery mirrors Usher's mental state, creating a mood of horror and detachment from reality. The poem's cryptic quality and allusions to mental illness suggest a deeper connection to Poe's own psychological struggles.
What causes Roderick Usher's death?
Madeline kills Roderick Usher. Having been prematurely buried by Roderick, Madeline returns from her grave and collapses on top of him. They both die immediately.
What disorder does Roderick Usher have?
Roderick Usher's disorder in Poe's story is complex, potentially blending psychological and supernatural elements. He exhibits symptoms like extreme nervous agitation, heightened senses, and morbid fears, suggesting disorders such as acute stress disorder or bipolar disorder. His family's history of incest may contribute to genetic predispositions. Although he doesn't fit neatly into one diagnosis, a combination of acute stress and borderline personality disorder, influenced by paranormal triggers, seems plausible.
Roderick Usher's Mental and Emotional State in "The Fall of the House of Usher"
Roderick Usher's mental and emotional state in "The Fall of the House of Usher" is characterized by severe anxiety, paranoia, and depression, deeply intertwined with the atmosphere and history of his ancestral home. Usher is reluctant to leave the house due to a mysterious compulsion, believing he is bound to it by a spiritual connection. He fears the house and his sister's impending death, which exacerbates his mental instability. Ultimately, Usher's fears manifest physically, culminating in his tragic demise as the house collapses, symbolizing their inextricable link.
Poe's portrayal of Roderick Usher's fantasy and the use of the supernatural to create neurosis in "The Fall of the House of Usher."
Poe portrays Roderick Usher's fantasy and the supernatural as intertwined elements that contribute to his neurosis. Usher's obsession with his decaying mansion and belief in its sentience reflect his deteriorating mental state. The supernatural events, such as the eerie atmosphere and the house's eventual collapse, underscore his psychological decline, illustrating how his fantasies blur the line between reality and madness.
The mental stability of Roderick Usher and the narrator in "The Fall of the House of Usher."
Roderick Usher's mental stability deteriorates due to his acute anxiety and hypersensitivity, leading to extreme paranoia and hallucinations. The narrator, initially rational, becomes increasingly affected by the oppressive atmosphere and Usher's influence, eventually experiencing his own psychological distress by the story's end.
Roderick Usher and His House: Symbolism and Parallels in "The Fall of the House of Usher"
In "The Fall of the House of Usher," Edgar Allan Poe parallels Roderick Usher's character with his ancestral home to symbolize their shared decay and isolation. Both Roderick and the house are described as decrepit and melancholic, with a sense of impending doom. Roderick's mental and physical deterioration mirrors the house's structural decline, highlighted by a crack in the wall symbolizing his fractured sanity. The story culminates in both Roderick's death and the house's collapse, representing the end of the Usher family line.
Characterization and fate of Roderick Usher in "The Fall of the House of Usher."
Roderick Usher is portrayed as a reclusive, mentally unstable man suffering from acute sensitivity and paranoia. His fate is intertwined with the house, as both he and the mansion deteriorate simultaneously. Ultimately, Roderick dies of fright when his supposedly dead sister, Madeline, reappears, leading to the final collapse of the Usher family mansion.
Roderick Usher's psychological deterioration parallels the decline of the House of Usher
Roderick Usher's psychological deterioration mirrors the physical decline of the House of Usher. His mental instability and growing madness are reflected in the crumbling, decaying mansion, symbolizing the interconnected fate of the Usher family and their ancestral home. This parallel highlights the theme of the inescapable doom that pervades the story.
Madeline Usher
Madeline only appears in three scenes in the story: once roaming through the house, once when she is interred, and later when she returns from a premature burial. She is Roderick’s twin and described as young and beautiful. However, she suffers from an unknown disease the doctors cannot cure. They describe her illness as “a settled apathy, a gradual wasting away of the person.” Roderick prematurely buries her after her supposed death, but both the narrator and Roderick hear her attempts to escape without comprehension. She reappears on the night of a terrible storm only to collapse on her brother and die, inadvertently killing Roderick as well. Her death and the narrator’s flight from the house are the final acts before the house sinks.
Expert Q&A
What happens when Madeline Usher appears at the end of the story?
At the end of "The Fall of the House of Usher," Madeline Usher reappears alive, having been mistakenly buried due to a cataleptic fit. Her dramatic return, covered in blood and showing signs of struggle, shocks her brother Roderick who then dies from fright. This event leads to the ultimate collapse of the Usher mansion as the narrator escapes. The story leaves open the question of whether Roderick buried her intentionally or by mistake.
Describe Madeline Usher's physical appearance in "The Fall of the House of Usher."
In "The Fall of the House of Usher," while lying in the coffin, Madeline Usher has a blushing complexion and a lingering smile. The narrator is also struck by how similar to her brother she looks, and Roderick tells him that the two Ushers were in fact twins.
Is Madeline Usher a ghost in "The Fall of the House of Usher"?
In "The Fall of the House of Usher," it is possible that Madeline Usher is a ghost. The textual evidence most strongly suggests that she is buried alive and, before dying, returns from the grave. However, it is possible that Madeline dies and returns from death to take Roderick's life.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
