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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Usher think the sounds in the house are?

2. For what had the vault beneath the narrator's apartments once been used in feudal times?

3. What is one thing the narrator says Roderick Usher writes about to him?

4. Which work of Swedenborg's does the narrator mention?

5. What music does Usher prefer?

Short Essay Questions

1. With what is the narrator impressed concerning Roderick?

2. Where does Roderick's genius as a painter lie?

3. How does the narrator attempt to calm Roderick?

4. What do the narrator and Roderick do for one last time before placing Madeline's coffin in the vault?

5. How does the narrator describe the vault where Madeline's coffin is temporarily laid to rest?

6. One is one topic of discussion between the narrator and Roderick that arises from the singing of Roderick's song, "The Haunted Palace"?

7. How does the narrator throw off his sense of gloom upon approaching the house?

8. How does the narrator find Roderick's mental state?

9. How does the narrator feel as he approaches the House of Usher?

10. How does Roderick explain his invitation to a visit by the narrator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all stories.

Compare/contrast the characters of Roderick and Lady Madeline. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples. Compare/contrast the characters of Roderick and the narrator. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

Essay Topic 2

Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Fall of the House of Usher. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Fall of the House of Usher. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Do you think most people want a happy ending in a story? If most people want a happy ending how do you think the ending of The Fall of the House of Usher leaves the reader feeling? What do you think are three reasons to read fiction and do you think The Fall of the House of Usher fulfills these three reasons? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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