Blog Set 10: "The Fall of the House of Usher" & "Afterward"

        What an exhilarating ride I just had and I didn't even have to wait in line at some cheesy theme park to enjoy it. Poe certainly had to draw up a battle plan when he developed this hair-standing short story: "The Fall of the House of Usher". There is so much great material to dissect and analyze regarding this chilling story of strange family occurrences and tragedy. As I finished this story, my mind eerily came across a subconscious comparison of another great story, The Great Gatsby. Now, I know what your probably thinking, "come on Mike, really, isn't this a little far off into left field?" Let me explain my reasoning (for those of you who play and or participate in any sports, that was my one and only sports reference for the entire year, so thank you). From my understanding of these two stories, they are told from the narrators' past experiences and perspectives: the unnamed friend of Roderick Usher and Jay Gatsby's neighbor Nick Carraway. They both tell us of their unfortunate journey with the main character. Both men try to help their doom-fated friends from either depression or obsession. Both stories involve love, either through the gothic style or modern materialisms. For Usher, his love for his twin sister brews doubt to her power and life after death. For Gatsby, he tries in vain to overcome the love of his past by trying to relive and rekindle the romance. One story is set in pure opulence and the other is the exact dictionary definition of a haunted house (in fact, this may be one of the earliest depiction of a haunted house in American literature). In the end, both are left to their fates: death. I just find the two stories so interesting because they have a unique literary connection similar to Yin and Yang. 

My interpretation of "The Fall of the House of Usher": This text takes a symbolistic approach over the realist opinion. This story is filled to the top with beautifully conveyed symbolism. The descriptions of the physical house and how it relates to the dying Usher lineage is paints of ghostly images to the reader's mind. I can understand the years of decay that has occurred on this ill fated family thanks to the detailed description of the house. Even when Usher's friend is describing his gangly appearance, it's like he is painting a portrait of foreseeable, quickly approaching death. The realist's mind might incorporate hope for a possibly positive outcome for this family, but nothing good happens for them in the end. It's horror folks! Hence, I believe that Poe wanted to paint such vivid imagery that would linger in the reader's soul long after the story was read. 

The psychological bricks of character description is also equally important to the symbolism of the text. Roderick Usher, displayed a myriad of emotion, led the readers to understanding the torments of his mental instability. When Usher is labeled as a hypercondriac  readers are given the sense that something is not right in the house just as it is not right with him. When readers meet his twin sister, Lady Madeline, when she walks by, they left with little to hint that she might just be as mad as her brother. It seems that Usher might just be bringing up all of these aliment himself. To understand that Poe was pioneering suspense when he created Roderick Usher's character is incredibly fascination. This just might be the first early foundation to the present day psychological thriller. Can we all say together, Black Swan? Any takers?

So, to remind you, I started off my post with an allusion of the haunted house ride at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. Is it a coincidence that every haunted house reflects the literary work of Poe's Usher mansion? I think not. But why has it become the staple of haunted houses for so many years? Why does this archetype fit the bill? Why does it continue to live on in our psyche? I want answers! "Where's the trigger?" Oops, that was Dark a Knight reference, sorry. The symbolism that has so hauntingly ingrained itself in our minds from Usher has become the prefixed foundation to everything that makes an old house into a haunted nightmarish experience. The way he personifies the windows as if they are eyes, creates an unsettling feeling that the house itself is a living, breathing being. Maybe it's a character as it plays a large role in the text.  The unnatural nature of the setting and characters leave the readers uneasy and makes a lasting impression on their psyche. The same chemistry of Poe's creepy house has been copied and recycled over and over again for all sorts of reasons. Some great reason are to scare young children from playing in abandoned homes or to keeping an audience on edge around a summer night camp fire and let's not forget our current film culture. Everything from "Friday the 13th" to "The Conjuring", have all utilized an uncanny, spine-chilling coincidence of description to this icon from "The Fall of the House of Usher"! 

Afterward.... An action will always have a reaction. 

I got chills after reading this story, by Edith Wharton. It was captivating how she enveloped us into this story. I can understand why this is one of many standard examples of American Gothic literature. We start off with a well-to-do couple seeking a get-away residence from their once hectic life of business dealings. Their luck struck them and they were afforded a chance to escape. Which isn't it a general American Dream to escape? It's kind of like our founding fathers once did crossing the ocean, right? 

Once in their new found Utopia, they had inquired about details of their new home, one of many was the concern of ghosts. A unique interest that they both shared, but nevertheless, not a major piece of information to seal the deal on their new house. As the character development continues and the plot thickens, we discover that like any American Dream, there is always a little bit of dirt and mud that might get in the way. Isn't this similar to people like Andrew Carnegie and John Peirpont Morgon's climb to success? They achieve the American Dream, but at what cost? The American Gothic reflects upon these dirty deals in order for there to be success. As if it never even happened. 

Mr. Boyne leaves unexpectedly with an unknown person. Never to be seen again. Mary is distraught and puzzled about her husband's disappearance. After months and years go by, a former partner of her husband visits Mary to clarify some past dealings. It is during this conversation that she realizes that the man her husband left with had a conflict with him years ago concerning the very business that had bought them their new-found wealth and privilege. This man tried suing her husband with no success. In his suffering, he attempted to end his life, only to agonize on another two more months before expiring. 

Just think for moment about the power of one's soul, one's self of being. Do you think that if someone wronged you and the pain was so immense that you would take your own life just to make it go away, but before the deed would be done, that you would exact your revenge against your enemy that placed you in this state? So let's take a guy like Andrew Carnegie. I wonder how many people, union guys and families of dead loved ones wanted to take out their anger, frustration, and hate against him? I wonder if he felt a guilty conscience and would accept his fate as a last "good will" to right a wrong. 

This story steps on the very stones of American Gothic. Boyne accepts his fate when he walks off with the ghost of his wronged partner. He knows what he has done to this suffering soul. The sad part is that his wife has no idea and that she is more in the dark than his heart. It is a chilling plot of the dead seeking vengeance on the living, with relatable concepts of suffrage and lingering doubts of wrongs that have been done, all in the name of achieving the American Dream.    

This text can stand as a social commentary on taking personal responsibility for one's own actions.  There are times when someone causes adversity in another person's life, and whether it be intentionally or accidentally performed, the wrongdoer should be held to some account. Now, I know we all make mistakes and I'm not saying there needs to be more lawsuits or incarcerations, rather more community service, more education programs, and more teachings of tolerance. Edward knew that he had to take some sort of personal responsibility in his actions towards Robert. He accepted his fate accordingly.