Twinsies

This weeks readings, by Edgar Allan Poe, “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and “The Tell-Tale Heart” were both representations of the concept of Gothic writing that we went over in class. However, “The Fall of the House of Usher” seemed to have more detail to bring to light in the sense of Gothic writing. In class we discussed how gothic writing is associated with enclosed man-made structures that fall into decay—which hits the nail on the head with this story. Throughout the passage, readers get a sense of constriction, as if the narrator is stuck inside this house and confined by the walls to never leave, not until the house falls to pieces. That in itself almost sheds light on the family who lived there: all direct decedents from one another, implying incest. The family must not have ever left the house. This could also be why the two siblings, who are the only Usher’s left, are so ill. Mentally ill, and physically ill. I cannot imagine what living inside one house for my entire life would be like—I would go nuts, too! Poe uses imagery to describe the house, and all the gloom surrounding it. The very first sentence sets the scene for an ominous and haunting setting: “During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country; and at length found myself, as the shades of the evening drew on, within the view of the melancholy House of Usher” (25). The narrator of this story ends up being the hero because he is able to ensure the end of doubling that is carried out throughout the story. The twins, who seem to double each other, both pass away. The gloomy house that overlooks its reflection in the water collapses, ending the doubling of the house. While researching this story written by Edgar Allan Poe, I found that some readers thought the sister did not even exist in the house. They argue that Madeline was part of Roderick’s imagination. In my own opinion, I see that Madeline and Roderick were both living in the house together. I also see the connection they share as twins, whereas they complete a part of each other. Madeline was not dead when she was buried, which might signify that Roderick no longer wanted that part of him to be alive. On the other hand, Madeline returns and instead of rejoicing in the fact that she made it out of the tomb, she kills Roderick. Which to me, was symbolic of their relationship as twins. The two came into this world together, and they were to leave the world together as well.