Usher Suspense

Horror tales of mystery and the fascination with death and the supernatural were common genres of American Romanticism. In "The Fall of the House of Usher," Poe's literary style focuses on mystery and horror which are illustrated through Poe's use of suspense, symbolism, and gothic elements.

The use of suspense in "The Fall of the House of Usher," is a creative technique applied by Poe. Suspense is skillfully woven into the storyline to create an atmosphere of mystery and gloom. Through pacing and foreshadowing, Poe causes an emotional effect he wants from the reader. Suspense, in this short story, is created by the constant uncertainty of what will occur next. One piece of evidence of suspense created through foreshadowing can be seen through,

Take for example, the castle. From the beginning of the story, the narrator purposefully describes the castle in great detail. He states, "There was an iciness, a sinking, a sickening of the heart an unredeemed dreariness of thought which no goading of the imagination could torture into aught of the sublime," (249) speaking of the exterior of the castle. In this scene, the reader understands how the house and its surroundings, is symbolic of the deteriorating physical and mental health of Roderick and the Usher siblings. Another example of symbolism in "The Fall of the House of Usher," is evident in the description of the interior of the house by the narrator. The narrator expresses, "...the ebony blackness of the floors and the phantasmagoric armored tapestries...the furniture profuse, comfortless, antique and tattered...books and musical instruments scattered about," (297) when describing the inside of the mansion. The disorder of the room, along with the grim images of the house's interior, are symbolic of darkness, decay, and death. As a result, the reader recognizes the use of symbolism applied by Poe in the story. Equally important, however, is the use of Gothic elements found in the