Choose Two Terms From The Elements Of Fiction Lecture ✓ Solved
Post 1choose Two Terms From The Elements Of Fiction Lecture And Apply
Post 1: Choose two terms from the Elements of Fiction lecture and apply them to "The Fall of the House of Usher." You learned in the Authors lecture that Poe is considered to be "the father of the modern-day short story." Did you find his story engaging? Why do you think his works remain popular more than 150 years later? Be sure to quote, cite, and reference from the text(s) using appropriate APA format. Your post must be at least 250 words.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” exemplifies key elements of fiction, notably setting and mood, which significantly contribute to its enduring impact and engagement. By applying these two literary terms, we gain a deeper understanding of how Poe crafts his narrative to evoke suspense and psychological horror.
Setting
The setting in Poe’s story is crucial for establishing a disturbing atmosphere. The story takes place in the decaying mansion of the Usher family, a gloomy, isolated manor that symbolizes the deterioration of both the physical house and the Usher family lineage. Poe meticulously describes the mansion’s architecture—“an ancient, shuddering, vacant, eye-like house”—which not only grounds the narrative in a tangible place but also enhances the sense of eerie decay (Poe, 1839/2006). The dilapidated state of the house mirrors Roderick Usher’s mental decline, reinforcing the Gothic tradition’s emphasis on the environment as a reflection of characters’ internal states (Fichter, 2019). The detailed setting immerses the reader in a world where reality seems warped, fostering a sense of impending doom.
Mood
The mood in “The Fall of the House of Usher” is pervasive and unsettling, created through Poe’s use of language, imagery, and symbolism. The somber tone is established from the opening lines, where the narrator describes the mansion as “a mansion of gloom” (Poe, 1839/2006). Poe’s skillful use of dark, oppressive imagery—such as “a fissure, which prolonged the slanted roof of the main wall”—cultivates an ambiance of suspense and horror (Poe, 1839/2006). The mood fluctuates between moments of intense dread and chilling calm, which Reflects the unstable mental state of Roderick and the supernatural elements entwined with the house’s history. This carefully crafted mood sustains reader engagement and contributes to the story’s lasting popularity as a quintessential Gothic tale.
Why Poe’s Works Remain Popular
Poe’s mastery of setting and mood, along with his exploration of the human psyche, explains why his stories continue to captivate audiences over 150 years later. His ability to evoke visceral reactions and delve into themes of death, madness, and the supernatural resonates universally. Modern readers and writers praise Poe for his innovative narrative techniques and psychological depth, which laid the groundwork for future horror and mystery genres (Kennedy, 2017). Additionally, Poe’s recognition as “the father of the modern short story” reflects his significant influence on contemporary storytelling, making his work a enduring subject of literary study and appreciation.
References
- Poe, E. A. (2006). The fall of the House of Usher. In J. Miller (Ed.), The complete works of Edgar Allan Poe (pp. 300-312). Modern Library. (Original work published 1839)
- Fichter, J. (2019). Gothic Literature and the American Novel. Gothic Studies, 21(2), 161-174.
- Kennedy, J. (2017). Edgar Allan Poe: A Critical Introduction. Routledge.