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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. Why does Usher want to wait a fortnight?

2. For what temperament does the narrator say the Usher family is known?

3. Upon what do the clouds press according to the narrator?

4. Where is the ruler in the early part of the song the narrator records?

5. What does the narrator say is "cadaverously wan"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator describe Roderick's appearance?

2. What is the only instrument Roderick can tolerate hearing?

3. What changes about Roderick's voice in the days following Madeline's death?

4. What does Roderick believe he has done to Madeline?

5. What does the narrator do before actually going inside the House of Usher?

6. How does the narrator react to Roderick's mood after Madeline's death?

7. What had Roderick written to the narrator to get the narrator to come visit?

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

9. What does the narrator observe about Roderick after Madeline's death?

10. What does the narrator do in response to his feelings of unease and who joins him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes The Fall of the House of Usher interesting.

Thoroughly discuss and analyze Roderick. What are his strengths and weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he usually likable? Seldom likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas. Use the same criteria to thoroughly discuss and analyze The narrator and Lady Madeline.

Essay Topic 2

Poe was a literary critic as well as a writer. He claims a story must concentrate on a single effect.

What is the single effect in The Fall of the House of Usher and how is this effect evident in the characters, the setting and the symbolism?

Essay Topic 3

Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in The Fall of the House of Usher. Are these universal symbols that would have the same meaning in any culture? What other symbols could portray the same idea? Why do you think Poe chooses the symbols he does? Consider symbols such as the physical house itself, the mausoleum, the vegetation and even the décor of the house.

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This section contains 634 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample