The American Gothic in The Fall of the House of Usher by...

The end of the eighteenth century brought about the beginning of a new genre of literature in America; the American Gothic. Already a popular genre in Europe, this new strain of literature in America arose to create a rather abrupt contrast to the Enlightenment foundations upon which American was born. Instead of concerning subjects of liberty and the pursuit of happiness; key elements of the American dream, American Gothic literature embodies and gives voice to the dark nightmare that is the underside of the American dream (Savoy, 2003, pg. 167) Although containing many similar elements to that of its European counterpart, American Gothic has its own distinct features that make it particularly American. These features include†¦show more content†¦2). Gothic tales rely upon and are defined as being tales of mystery and horror. According to A Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory, the Gothic tale contains a strong element of the supernatural... monstrous apparition s and curses; a stupefying atmosphere of doom and gloom ... wicked tyrants, malevolent witches, demonic powers of an unspeakably hideous aspect, and a proper complement of spooky effects and clanking spectre (Cuddon, 2012; Gothic novel/fiction). Edgar Allan Poe is well known across the globe for his Gothic tales. The Fall of the House of Usher exhibits many of the above characteristics which make it a mystifying and terror filled classic work of Gothic fiction. However, as Poes short story is a piece of American Gothic there are a number of specific features that make it distinctly American. Poe opens his short story with a quote by De Beranger which translates to His/her heart is a poised lute; as soon as it is touched, it resounds, immediately Poe casts an eerie spell over the reader sucking one in to this mystifying fiction. The language Poe uses to create an atmosphere of doom and gloom is impressive, words like dull, dark and soundless, hung oppressively low and insufferable gloom (Poe, pg.1) show the repetition of broad vowel sounds a, o and u. This assonance serves to slow down reading of the line and creates a desolate atmospheric feeling. The first distinct American element ofShow MoreRelated A Critical Essay on Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher (1839)1221 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"architecture and settings are more important in Gothic fiction than in any other type of literature†¦all architectural elements are closely connected with Gothic protagonists and the plot.† (Zamfir. 2011: 15). This critical essay will first consider and analyse this statement and investigate the style, language and form of the American author Edgar Allan Poe’s (1809-1849) macabre and Gothic fictional prose The Fall of the House of Usher (1839) (Poe. 1987: 1). I shall present and argue how the artisticRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe Biography. By. Alyssa Marshall.1260 Words   |  6 Pages Edgar Allan Poe Biography By Alyssa Marshall Mrs. Guinn English III March 6, 2017 Abstract Edgar Allan Poe was a writer in the â€Å"Gothic Era†, many of his stories genres are horror like â€Å" The Masque of The Red Death†, mystery such as â€Å" The Fall of The House of Usher†, lost love as in â€Å" The Raven†, and obsession such as â€Å" The Pit and The Pendulum†. Edgar’s poemsRead MoreFall of the House of Usher Literary Analysis Essay1325 Words   |  6 PagesLiterary Analysis As with many of Edgar Allan Poes pieces, The Fall of the House of Usher falls within the definition of American Gothic Literature. According to Prentice Hall Literature, American Gothic Literature is characterized by a bleak or remote setting, macabre or violent incidents, characters being in psychological or physical torment, or a supernatural or otherworldly involvement (311). A story containing these attributes can result in a very frightening or morbid read. In all probabilityRead MoreThe Fall Of The House Of Usher1243 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The Fall Of The House Of Usher:† The Mysterious Family In the story â€Å" The Fall of the House of Usher† by Edgar Allan Poe, has an American romanticism with its characters. Edgar Allan Poe is considered a Dark Romanticism because of the way he writes his poems and short stories centered around the concept of evil human nature, darkness, and death. Roderick and Madeline Usher were said to be related during the middle of the story; they were twins. It explained how they were sick, Roderick had a mentalRead MoreThe Fall Of The House Of Usher1133 Words   |  5 Pagesthe story â€Å" The Fall of the House of Usher† by Edgar Allan Poe, has american romanticism with the characters. Edgar Allan Poe is considered a Dark Romanticism because of his poems and short stories centered around the ideas of evil human nature, darkness, and death. Roderick Usher and Madeline were that kind of person in this story; they were twins. There were sick; Roderick had mental disorder and physically and Madeline was physically sick. As the narra tor enters the desolate house, he finds bothRead MoreGothic Literature : Edgar Allan Poe928 Words   |  4 PagesGothic is a term associated with a plethora of authors, a few names that arise in the mind when mentioning the genre’s influence on American grounds are William Faulkner (associated with the sub-genre Southern Gothic), Washington Irving and the ever-so-famous Edgar Allan-Poe. The latter being known as one of the prominent authors of American Gothicism. Poe, just like every great author, had his influences in Gothicism. First of all, Gothic is a term in literature that describes a combination ofRead More A Critical Essay on Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher (1839)1760 Words   |  8 Pages‘architecture and settings are more important in Gothic fiction than in any other type of literature.’ (Zamfir. 2011: 15). The nature of architectural space performs a significant role within the narrative structure of Gothic fiction as it cre ates and builds layers of imagery that signify the horrific and gloomy; a construction full of atmosphere and suspense. It was the Gothic writer Horace Walpole (1717-1797) who first illustrated in his Gothic novel The Castle of Otranto (1764) an example symbolicRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe Research Paper931 Words   |  4 PagesHonors 13 February 2012 Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe was a sick man that went through a troubling life full of tragedies. For Poe to deal with this he drank and poured his feelings into his works. Honestly as horrible it is that he had to go through all of that we should be grateful because without his suffering these masterpieces wouldn’t have been fabricated. While intensifying his philosophy for short stories Edgar Allan Poe wrote â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher† reflecting the characteristicsRead MoreArgumentative Essay On The Fall Of The House Of Usher1169 Words   |  5 PagesShining and It on his resume. However, King would be nothing if it weren’t for the tortured, Edgar Allan Poe(1809-1849). Poe’s works seem to project the monsters and ghosts which lived inside him, through his awful, short life. Poe writings are woven tightly with language holding hidden meanings and psychological anguish. Argumentary the most famous work of Poe is The Fall of the House of Usher(The House of U sher), as the short story incorporates every trope of modern horror, important among these isRead More A Critical Essay on Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher (1839)2193 Words   |  9 Pagessettings are more important in Gothic fiction than in any other type of literature.’ (Zamfir. 2011: 15). The execution and the nature of architectural space performs a significant role within the narrative structure of Gothic fiction as it creates and builds layers of imagery that signify the horrific and gloomy. This is illustrative of a building construction, one in which creates an atmosphere of suspense, a prominent aspect to the Gothic fiction genre. It was the Gothic writer Horace Walpole (1717-1797)