Examples of romanticism in “The fall of the house of Usher” have been explored. In general, romanticism in this short story is characterized by numerous aspects including desolate, grotesque, intense fear, and the ghostly aspect among others. The author integrates these aspects in his writing thereby depicting romanticism in his work.
Romanticism is characterized by intuitive and emotional aspect while rejecting the rational and intellectual aspect. In this story, this has been brought up clearly. In the story, the narrator has aspires to explain various aspects without providing clear, rational clarifications.
This can be observed in the attempt to explain iciness, sinking, and a sickening heart among other aspects. The obscurity of time and place in the story also points to an element of romanticism. There is obscurity regarding the plot of the story and the place where Roderick received his letter.
The story is also characterized by grotesque, mystery, horror, and ghostly moods. These aspects are aimed at inculcating a sense of terror among the audience. The narrator describes the Usher mansion and its environment as depicting some “insufferable gloom”. The romanticism is also depicted in the aspect of psychic communication. In deed, the story depicts the connection between Roderick and Madeline as obvious. The two have a very strong relationship such that Roderick donates his illness to Madeline’s sickness.
Roderick is also able to know that Madeline is still alive even after she had been buried in the vault. Madeline is depicted as having a strong desire to stay alive after she dies. She manages to escape from being buried alive, several days after she had been buried. In this regard, there is no clear indication whether she still exists or she actually came back to life.
