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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 happens to the narrator as he lies in bed the eighth night after Madeline's death?

2. The throngs in the song laugh, but what do they not do anymore?

3. What does the narrator say is the principal feature of the Usher mansion upon closer inspection?

4. What does the narrator often call Usher?

5. What is Usher carrying as he knocks on the narrator's door?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. How do the men like the book the narrator reads and what surprises the narrator about Roderick's response to the book?

6. Why is the narrator on his way to the House of Usher?

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

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

9. What does the narrator do when he realizes that both twins are dead?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 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.

(see the answer keys)

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