Edgar Allan Poe The Fall Of House Usher Lesson Plans

Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher": Lesson Plans for English Language

### Overview Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Fall of the House of Usher" is a classic of American Gothic literature. It is a haunting tale of a young man who visits his friend Roderick Usher at his family's decaying mansion. The story is full of suspense, atmosphere, and psychological terror. This lesson plan is designed for high school English students. It includes activities that will help students understand the story's plot, characters, themes, and literary devices. ### Lesson 1: Introduction to "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Objectives:

* Students will be able to identify the main characters in "The Fall of the House of Usher." * Students will be able to summarize the plot of "The Fall of the House of Usher." * Students will be able to identify the setting of "The Fall of the House of Usher."

Materials:

* Copies of "The Fall of the House of Usher" * Whiteboards or chart paper * Markers or pens

Procedure:

1. Begin by asking students if they have ever read any stories by Edgar Allan Poe. If so, ask them to share their thoughts on his writing. 2. Explain to students that "The Fall of the House of Usher" is one of Poe's most famous stories. It is a Gothic tale that is full of suspense, atmosphere, and psychological terror. 3. Distribute copies of the story to students and ask them to read it independently. 4. Once students have finished reading the story, ask them to discuss the following questions in small groups: * Who are the main characters in the story? * What is the plot of the story? * What is the setting of the story? 5. After students have had a chance to discuss these questions, lead a whole-class discussion. ### Lesson 2: Analyzing the Characters in "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Objectives:

* Students will be able to analyze the main characters in "The Fall of the House of Usher." * Students will be able to identify the main character's traits and motivations. * Students will be able to explain how the characters interact with each other.

Materials:

* Copies of "The Fall of the House of Usher" * Whiteboards or chart paper * Markers or pens

Procedure:

1. Begin by reviewing the main characters in "The Fall of the House of Usher." 2. Ask students to choose one of the main characters to analyze. 3. Have students create a character map that includes the following information: * The character's name * The character's physical appearance * The character's personality traits * The character's motivations * The character's interactions with other characters 4. Once students have completed their character maps, ask them to share their findings with the class. 5. Lead a discussion about how the characters interact with each other. How do their interactions contribute to the story's plot and themes? ### Lesson 3: Identifying the Themes in "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Objectives:

* Students will be able to identify the main themes in "The Fall of the House of Usher." * Students will be able to explain how the themes are developed in the story. * Students will be able to discuss the significance of the themes.

Materials:

* Copies of "The Fall of the House of Usher" * Whiteboards or chart paper * Markers or pens

Procedure:

1. Begin by asking students to brainstorm a list of possible themes in "The Fall of the House of Usher." 2. Once students have generated a list of themes, ask them to choose one theme to analyze. 3. Have students create a theme map that includes the following information: * The theme of the story * Evidence from the story that supports the theme * An explanation of how the theme is developed in the story * The significance of the theme 4. Once students have completed their theme maps, ask them to share their findings with the class. 5. Lead a discussion about the significance of the themes. How do the themes contribute to the story's overall meaning? ### Lesson 4: Analyzing the Literary Devices in "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Objectives:

* Students will be able to identify the main literary devices in "The Fall of the House of Usher." * Students will be able to explain how the literary devices are used to create a