Essential Aspects of The Fall of the House of Usher Lesson Plans
The Fall of the House of Usher is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1839. It is one of Poe's most well-known and admired works, and it has been the subject of numerous adaptations, including film, television, and opera.
The story is set in a decaying mansion, where the last of the Usher family, Roderick and his sister Madeline, are living in seclusion. The narrator visits the mansion and finds himself drawn into the strange and unsettling world of the Ushers.
The Fall of the House of Usher is a complex and multi-layered story, and it can be taught in a variety of ways. The following are some essential aspects of the story that can be explored in a lesson plan:
Gothic Elements
The Fall of the House of Usher is a classic example of Gothic literature, which is characterized by its dark and atmospheric settings, its use of supernatural elements, and its themes of death and decay.
In a lesson plan, students can explore the following Gothic elements in The Fall of the House of Usher:
- The decaying mansion
- The dark and stormy setting
- The supernatural events
- The themes of death and decay
Symbolism
The Fall of the House of Usher is full of symbolism, which can be used to explore the story's themes and characters.
In a lesson plan, students can explore the following symbols in The Fall of the House of Usher:
- The mansion
- The lake
- The storm
- Roderick Usher
- Madeline Usher
Themes
The Fall of the House of Usher explores a number of themes, including:
- Death and decay
- The power of the subconscious
- The nature of madness
- The role of art in life
In a lesson plan, students can explore these themes by discussing the following questions:
- What does the story say about the nature of death and decay?
- How does the story explore the power of the subconscious?
- What does the story say about the nature of madness?
- What does the story say about the role of art in life?
Character Analysis
The Fall of the House of Usher features a number of complex and intriguing characters.
In a lesson plan, students can analyze the following characters:
- The narrator
- Roderick Usher
- Madeline Usher
Students can discuss the following questions about the characters:
- What are the narrator's motivations for visiting the House of Usher?
- What is Roderick Usher's personality like?
- What is Madeline Usher's personality like?
- How do the characters interact with each other?
Setting
The setting of The Fall of the House of Usher is essential to the story's atmosphere and mood.
In a lesson plan, students can explore the following aspects of the setting:
- The mansion
- The surrounding landscape
- The weather
Students can discuss the following questions about the setting:
- How does the mansion's appearance reflect the characters who live there?
- How does the surrounding landscape contribute to the story's atmosphere?
- How does the weather affect the characters' moods and actions?
Concluding Activity
As a concluding activity to a lesson on The Fall of the House of Usher, students can complete one of the following tasks:
- Write an essay exploring one of the story's themes.
- Create a visual representation of the story's setting, characters, or events.
- Write a short story or poem that is inspired by The Fall of the House of Usher.

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