Sanity, Decay, and the House of Usher

What is the narrator's primary reason for visiting the House of Usher?

• To investigate strange occurrences.

• To attend a family gathering.

• To visit his childhood friend, Roderick.

• To purchase the property.

What does Roderick Usher believe about vegetation and inanimate objects, including his family home?

• They are merely decorative elements.

• They possess intelligence.

• They are cursed by an ancient spell.

• They are immune to decay.

What shocking event occurs during the climax of the story, involving Madeline Usher?

• She reveals a hidden treasure.

• She escapes the house through a secret passage.

• She returns from her tomb, covered in blood.

• She cures Roderick of his illness.

What is Madeline Usher's unusual medical condition characterized by?

• Sudden bursts of energy and hyperactivity.

• Periods of complete rigidity and unresponsiveness.

• An uncontrollable urge to sing and dance.

• A heightened sense of smell and taste.

How is the House of Usher symbolically linked to the Usher family?

• It represents their financial prosperity.

• It serves as a place of refuge from the outside world.

• It is physically and psychologically intertwined with the family's fate.

• It is a symbol of hope and renewal.

What does the decay and eventual collapse of the House of Usher primarily symbolize?

• The decline of the Usher family's wealth.

• The narrator's deteriorating mental state.

• The collapse of Roderick Usher's mind and personality.

• The physical destruction of an old building.

How does the weather in the story contribute to the narrative?

• It provides a realistic setting for the events.

• It reflects the internal emotional and spiritual turmoil of the characters.

• It serves as a backdrop for the narrator's journey.

• It foreshadows the arrival of new characters.

Which of the following best describes the theme of sanity versus insanity in the story?

• The narrator's struggle to maintain his own sanity amidst the Usher family's eccentricities.

• The clear distinction between the sane narrator and the insane Usher siblings.

• The blurring of lines between what is real and what is madness, affecting both the Ushers and the narrator.

• Roderick's successful attempt to cure his mental illness through art and music.

What happens to Roderick and Madeline as the House of Usher physically deteriorates?

• They become stronger and more resilient.

• They move to a new, healthier environment.

• Their physical and mental health also decline, mirroring the house's decay.

• They discover a hidden cure for their ailments within the house.

How does fear primarily affect Roderick Usher in the story?

• It motivates him to seek help and overcome his challenges.

• It makes him physically stronger and more alert.

• It controls his reality and ultimately leads to his demise.

• It causes him to isolate himself from his sister.