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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 about the archway that leads into the hall?

2. Who is the hero of Trist?

3. What bewilders the narrator as he listens to Usher speak of his problem?

4. What does the hero of Trist believe himself to be?

5. What does the narrator say he could not remake into something better?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the narrator think the vault was used in more recent times to store gunpowder?

2. What does Roderick say in reply to the narrator's comment about how Roderick and Madeline resemble each other?

3. How does the narrator describe the door into the vault where they lay Madeline's coffin?

4. What is Roderick's response to Madeline falling upon him?

5. What does the narrator say about African Satyrs and Aepipans?

6. What is one picture Roderick painted that the narrator describes and says it is not as abstract as the others?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about what they know, and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the story more interesting.

Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Edgar Allan Poe. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her stories? Why or why not? Give examples. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Poe's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the story and discuss Poe's probable agenda concerning that idea.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

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