Compare and Contrast: The Fall of The House of Usher and House Taken Over

The Fascinating World of Classic Literature

Ever thought about how some stories just stick with you? Well, that's what classic literature does. It dives into different parts of being human and gives us something to think about. In this essay, we're gonna chat about two short stories: "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe and "House Taken Over" by Julio Cortázar. They come from different times and places but have a lot in common. Let’s see how themes, settings, and characters reveal more about what it means to be human.

Themes: Disintegration of Self

Both stories really dig into the idea of losing oneself. In Poe’s tale, Roderick Usher’s mind is basically falling apart. His house? Yeah, it's like a symbol for his crumbling sanity. Creepy, right? And in Cortázar's story, this unknown force takes over a house bit by bit. The people there feel lost and powerless as their identities slip away. Both tales show just how vulnerable we can be when life's challenges hit hard.

Settings: More Than Just Backgrounds

The setting in both stories isn't just a backdrop; it adds so much to the whole vibe. In "The Fall of the House of Usher," the old mansion is falling apart just like Roderick's mind. The gloomy look and crumbling walls scream doom and gloom! On the flip side, Cortázar uses the house in "House Taken Over" as a stand-in for losing control over one's life. As things start creeping in, it symbolizes insecurity taking over their world.

Characters: Isolation and Torment

What about the folks in these tales? They're all dealing with isolation and fear big time. Roderick from Poe's story is this lonely guy haunted by past troubles—and his sister Madeline adds layers to that mess with her own hidden emotions. Meanwhile, Irene and her brother in Cortázar’s tale are stuck in their own little world too, fighting against whatever’s invading them.

Fate: Can't Escape What's Coming?

You ever feel like no matter what you do, you can't change what's coming? That’s kinda what happens here too. In Poe's story, there's an ancient curse hanging over Roderick's family that seals their fate—tragic stuff! And then you've got Cortázar’s characters who are trapped inside their home without any way out as this strange force takes hold.

Conclusion: Unraveling the Human Experience

So yeah—these stories really highlight similar ideas through theme, setting, character portrayal...all leading us deeper into understanding humanity itself! Poe & Cortázar tackle self-disintegration alongside fate while diving deep into our fears/anxieties via symbols/atmosphere/character growth techniques galore! Stories like these remind us how universal truths unite everyone despite differences such as time/culture etcetera...

References:

• Poe, E.A., (1839). The Fall of the House of Usher.
• Cortázar J., (1946). House Taken Over.
• Sullivan J., (2020). Understanding Gothic Literature.
• Meyer M.P., (2018). Analyzing Literary Themes.
• Taylor A.C., (2017). Symbolism in Literature Explained.