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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. About what does the narrator say Usher had always been excessive and habitual?

2. What is the narrator unable to see in the room?

3. Who wrote the book that the narrator picks up to soothe Usher?

4. What painter does the narrator say paints in too concrete details?

5. Why does the door to the vault below the narrator's apartments make an unusually sharp, grating sound when it is opened?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the narrator respond to Roderick's increasing instability?

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

4. With what is the narrator impressed concerning Roderick?

5. What does the narrator say about his friendship with Roderick Usher?

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

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

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

9. What does the narrator attempt to do for several days, and then what does he conclude about his attempts?

10. What seems to be happening in "real" time as the narrator reads?

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

The narrator approaches the House of Usher with great trepidation when he sees the disrepair. He is telling the story of visiting a friend.

It might occur to the reader that the main character is the narrator but the story gives very little information about him. Discuss how it affects the story not knowing much about the narrator. Use examples from The Fall of the House of Usher to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Define plot and include the definitions of the most important elements of a plot. Do all stories have a plot? Why or why not? Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Fall of the House of Usher, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot? Give a brief synopsis of any important sub-plots.

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