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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 describe as long and improvised

2. What is a feature of one "phantasmagoric" picture that Usher painted and the narrator describes?

3. What does Usher admit in a lucid moment concerning his gloomy outlook?

4. Besides books, what else were scattered about in the room?

5. What is the title of the verses Usher composes that the narrator pens in the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator attempt to calm Roderick?

2. How does Roderick explain his desire to delay the burial of Madeline?

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

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

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

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

7. What announcement does Roderick abruptly make one evening?

8. What does Roderick seem to vacillate between?

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

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

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

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.

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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