Moral Depths in The Fall of The House of Usher

There are 13 elements of European Gothic. Elements of European Gothic are important in a gothic novel because authors can explore supernatural thoughts and ideas through narration. Two famous stories of the gothic genre are “The Fall of The House of Usher '' by Edgar Allan Poe and “The Castle of Otranto” by Horace Walpole.

One of the elements of European Gothic that contributes to both these stories is supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events. “The great door to which he was pointing now slowly opened. It was the work of the rushing wind, perhaps — but no — outside that door a shape did stand, the tall figure, in its grave-clothes, of the lady Madeline of Usher. There was blood upon her white dress, and the signs of her terrible efforts to escape were upon every part of her thin form” (33). In this passage, the Poe has revealed that Roderick's twin sister was buried alive. She had blood on her as if she struggled to escape the tomb. Poe also revealed Roderick dies of fear from seeing his sister. In “The Fall of The House of Usher” Poe portrays the supernatural as wicked and relates it to hysteria. Unusual occasions, for example, Madeline's restoration, the conceivable consciousness of the house simply makes its inhabitants crazy with dread, indicating how the otherworldly rots what it contacts.

“Manfred, distracted between the flight of Isabella, who had now reached the stairs, and yet unable to keep his eyes from the picture, which began to move, had, however, advanced some steps after her, still looking backwards on the portrait” (ch. 2). In this quote, we have Manfred watching his grandfather's portrait sighing and moving uncontrollably. In “The Castle of Otranto” the castle is dark and scary, tormented supernaturally by trap entryways banging shut, the moaning of the breeze, and the life-like nature of people in photo paintings.

“The Fall of The House of Usher” and the “Castle of Otranto” have a lot of similarities but one. In 'The Fall of the House of Usher '' is told by an anonymous first-person. The “Castle of Otranto '' is written in omniscient third individual meaning in which the narrator knows what the characters are feeling and thinking in the story. As a reader, I prefer reading a story in first-person since it has more intimacy. Reading in third -person tells us what to think and feel about the character and story.

The “The Fall of The House of Usher'' is a more compelling story for me because there is no lesson attached, the story must be appreciated for the wellbeing of its own without an ethical point. At the end of the story, Poe leaves us with just the narrator alive to describe the death of the Usher twins. Unlike the “Castle of Otranto” where Manfred has lost both his children due to his hunt for power. Walpole believed that literature was meant to be a lesson.

In conclusion, the exploration of European Gothic elements in “The Fall of The House of Usher'' and “The Castle of Otranto'' unravels a tapestry of supernatural intrigue and psychological depth. These narratives, woven with dark threads of inexplicable events, foreboding settings, and symbolic undertones, showcase the mastery of Gothic literature.

The portrayal of supernatural occurrences, such as Madeline's haunting restoration in Poe's tale and the eerie movements within the Castle of Otranto, serves as a conduit for authors to delve into the uncharted territories of the human imagination. The elements of European Gothic provide a fertile ground for authors to explore the darker realms of existence, blurring the lines between the natural and the supernatural.

While both stories share similarities in their Gothic elements, they diverge in narrative perspective. The first-person narration of “The Fall of The House of Usher'' offers an intimate connection, drawing readers into the psychological abyss of the anonymous narrator. In contrast, “The Castle of Otranto'' employs an omniscient third-person perspective, providing a broader understanding of characters and events.

As a reader, the preference for narrative style varies. The first-person intimacy of Poe's tale draws readers into the depths of the Usher mansion, amplifying the emotional impact of the supernatural events. On the other hand, the third-person perspective in “The Castle of Otranto'' offers a comprehensive view, allowing readers to navigate the intricate web of characters and their innermost thoughts.

“The Fall of The House of Usher'' stands out as a more compelling narrative for those who appreciate the story for its own sake, devoid of explicit moral lessons. Poe leaves us with the solitary survivor to recount the tragic demise of the Usher twins, leaving the reader to grapple with the haunting aftermath. In contrast, “The Castle of Otranto” aligns with Walpole's belief that literature should impart a moral lesson, as Manfred's pursuit of power results in the loss of his children.

In the realm of Gothic literature, these tales endure as timeless examples of the genre's ability to captivate and provoke contemplation. The European Gothic elements in these stories continue to inspire writers and readers alike, inviting them to journey into the shadows where the supernatural and the human experience intersect.