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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 the narrator say he often finds Usher doing?

2. What does the narrator describe as long and improvised

3. For what is the light coming through the windows of the room sufficient?

4. How does the narrator feel when Usher's sister comes through the apartment where Usher and the narrator are?

5. What does Usher do after shading his lamp's light?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the narrator describe the vault where they lay Madeline's coffin?

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

4. What does the narrator say about Madeline's appearance when he looked upon her before they sealed the coffin lid?

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

6. What does the narrator regularly observe Roderick doing after Madeline's death?

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

8. What does the narrator discover when he gets up and bends his ear close to Roderick's mouth?

9. What does the narrator think of Roderick's ostensible reason for delaying Madeline's burial?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character.

Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not? Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a story such as The Fall of the House of Usher help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Fall of the House of Usher? Why or why not. Use examples from The Fall of the House of Usher and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a story has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some stories seem to balance the two.

What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven or action driven? Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why? Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character are developed to the same degree? Why or why not? What type of plot do you think The Fall of the House of Usher is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Poe does an exemplary job of portraying gloom, fear and horror.

Discuss some of the techniques Poe uses to elicit the emotions he wants from the reader. Use examples from The Fall of the House of Usher to support your reasoning.

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