We see the creative mind at work in "The Fall of the House of Usher" as Poe creates a parallel between the house and Roderick. The suspense with this thriller is heightened with the fact that the narrator is inches from the same fate as Roderick. There is undeniable connection between the two that is never fully disclosed. The narrator looks for logical ways to explain what occurs in the home and he also wishes to find out the reason behind Roderick's agitation. Interestingly, Roderick believes the house is the source of all of his tension, yet he rarely leaves the house. The image of the house sinking dramatizes Roderick's sinking state of mind. In essence, both are experiencing a type of split. The house is sitting upon an unstable foundation and Roderick does not attempt to fool anyone by denying he suffers from a mental disorder that shakes his foundation. The house becomes a physical manifestation of what is occurring in Roderick's life. Poe's success lies in his ability to make the unreal seem real and he achieves this with a creepy tale about a house that invades its owner's mind and soul. With such
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It also has a "Merton College Library" (93) inside along with period bedrooms were "swathed in rose and lavender silk and vivid with new flowers" (93). Nick tells us that the house has "bathrooms with sunken baths" (93) and Gatsby a private apartment in the house complete with a "bedroom and a bath, and an Adam study" (93). The bathroom even has a toilet seat of "pure dull gold"
These aren't real apples of course, they are symbolic of the tasks he had yet to complete, the poems he had yet to write, but he is overwhelmed by these possibilities. "For I have had too much/of apple-picking: I am overtired/of the great harvest I myself desired" (27-9). His hyperbolic description of "ten thousand" (that's one million) apples to touch confirms that he is completely overwhelmed by what was
Hooper's wearing of the veil only reinforces this notion. We are all unclean and should be aware of our condition. Hooper believed this and says so on his deathbed when he tells those around him, "On every visage a Black Veil!" (Hawthorne 640) G.A. Santangelo believes that Hawthorne was concerned with a delusional state of innocence in that no one can be innocent in this world "because man has
On the other hand, the geographical element needs to be discussed as well. Lippi works in Florence during the time of the Medici (and not any Medici, but the one who encouraged and promoted arts the most, Lorenzo de Medici), and not in Rome. As such, he does not fall under the direct jurisdiction of the Pope, but under that of the Medici, which means that he can enjoy a
As Old Dudley slips and falls down a couple steps, he reluctantly requires the aid of an African-American resident. In spite of his distaste for the African-American's demeanor, he must accept his help. Sadly, Old Dudley cannot accept the attitude of racial tolerance, as "the pain in his throat [is] all over his face now, leaking out his eyes." In liberal society, people need help from anyone in order
However, there is also danger to the sexuality that lies behind sweetness, as when a girl Sally, marries a marshmallow salesman to escape an abusive father, entering a union that seems as bad as the home she is leaving. A final symbol of the novel is that of play -- few adult women, except for the insane Ruthie, are seen enjoying themselves over the course of the novel. Girls can
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