English - The Fall Of The House Of Usher - The Plot

Front 1

What is the mood in the opening paragraphs of the story?

Back 1

sad and depressing

Front 2

What season does the story take place

Back 2

Autumn (or Fall)

Front 3

What is a tarn?

Back 3

a pool of water

Front 4

How had the narrator known Roderick Usher?

Back 4

He was one of his best friends when they were boys.

Front 5

How had Roderick gotten in touch with the narrator?

Back 5

He wrote a letter.

Front 6

What did Roderick say was wrong with him?

Back 6

He had a nervous affliction.

Front 7

What is the general condition of the outside of the house?

Back 7

bleak walls, vacant-looking windows, shrubs had a bad odor, decayed trees

Front 8

Whom did the narrator meet on the stairway when he entered?

Back 8

the family doctor

Front 9

What is the general condition of Roderick Usher?

Back 9

He suffered an unhealthy sensitivity of the senses (he could only stand unseasoned food, soft clothes, mild odors, low light, and low sounds).

Front 10

Who is Madeline?

Back 10

Roderick's twin sister

Front 11

What is Madeline's disease?

Back 11

She was thin, totally indifferent, cataleptical (rigid or death-like)

Front 12

How do the narrator and Usher pass the time?

Back 12

painting and long sad songs

Front 13

Describe one picture painted by Usher.

Back 13

It was inside a long vault or tunnel with low walls; the vault was very deep below the earth; there was no opening in the vault; rays of light bathed the vault.

Front 14

What is the name of the song that Roderick sings?

Back 14

The Haunted Palace

Front 15

How long does Usher intend to keep Madeline's body in the tomb in the house?

Back 15

2 weeks

Front 16

Why does Usher intend to keep Madeline's body in the tomb in the house?

Back 16

He did not want her body dissected by the doctors.

Front 17

What changes occur in Usher after Madeline is placed in the tomb?

Back 17

He no longer read, painted, or played his guitar. He roamed hurriedly from room to room but with no purpose. His skin grew paler. His voice became shaky. He stared into space for hours as if he were listening to some imaginary sound.

Front 18

After Madeline had been entombed for about a week, what were Roderick's and the narrator's feelings on that last night?

Back 18

irrational superstitions

Front 19

Why did the narrator read Mad Trist?

Back 19

to find relief in the foolishness of the book

Front 20

Where does Usher place his chair in the room?

Back 20

facing the door

Front 21

What does Usher finally convince himself of that night?

Back 21

They had buried Madeline alive in the tomb.

Front 22

In the Mad Trist, Ethelred's breaking down the door was like what?

Back 22

Madeline opening the coffin

Front 23

In the Mad Trist, the shriek of the dying dragon was like what?

Back 23

Madeline opening the copper door of the vault (dragging the floor)

Front 24

In the Mad Trist, clanking of the shield on the floor was like what?

Back 24

Madeline struggling up the copper passageway

Front 25

What ironic name does Usher call the narrator?

Back 25

Madman

Front 26

What does Usher see outside the door?

Back 26

the enshrouded figure of the lady Madeline of Usher

Front 27

How does Usher die?

Back 27

Madeline fell on him.

Front 28

What causes the house to fall?

Back 28

the storm - lightning and winds

Front 29

What happens to the narrator?

Back 29

He fled from the house in terror.