Themes and Motifs in 'The Fall of the House of Usher'

The video explores the main motifs in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher', focusing on sound, illness, fear, and claustrophobia. Sound is emphasized throughout the story, affecting characters deeply. Illness is portrayed through Roderick and Madeline's conditions, raising questions about supernatural influences. Fear dominates Roderick, leading to his demise, while claustrophobia and isolation contribute to the story's eerie atmosphere. The narrator's presence briefly disrupts this isolation, but ultimately, the characters remain trapped, culminating in Madeline's entombment.

What is the first motif discussed in 'The Fall of the House of Usher'?

• Claustrophobia

• Sound

• Illness

• Fear

How does the narrator describe the day when approaching the House of Usher?

• Noisy

• Stormy

• Bright and sunny

• Soundless

What effect does sound have on Roderick Usher?

• It calms him

• It has no effect

• It fills him with terror

• It makes him sleepy

What happens to the emphasis on sound after Madeline's death?

• It becomes stronger

• It remains the same

• It decreases

• It disappears

What is the inciting event for the narrator's visit to the House of Usher?

• A wedding

• A party

• Roderick's illness

• A funeral

What condition does Madeline suffer from?

• Blindness

• Deafness

• Catalepsy

• Insomnia

How does Roderick's condition contrast with Madeline's?

• He is physically strong

• He is blind

• He is completely unresponsive

• He is overly sensitive to stimuli

What question does the story hinge on regarding Roderick?

• Is he the victim of supernatural events or going mad?

• Is he a ghost?

• Is he a genius?

• Is he in love with Madeline?

What dominates Roderick Usher's life according to the motif of fear?

• Fear

• Happiness

• Wealth

• Love

What does Poe's story suggest about the power of fear?

• It has no effect on reality

• It can create positive situations

• It is always imaginary

• It can create negative situations