In this story, the protagonist, Roderick Usher, attempts to rise above his mortality, but death still appears to him time and time again. As a whole, this short story is the depiction of “the kings of terror” spoken of in the book of Job (Robey 4-5). Poe uses symbolism in the details of this story to strengthen the apocalyptic theme in the short story. For example, the last name Usher, reminds the reader of the Irish Bishop of Armagh, James Ussher, who wrote the Annales Veteris et Novi Testamenti (Cook 15). This book is a time line of the earth from Genesis to the Revelations’ prophecies (Ussher 1).
Roderick Usher had many different prophecies throughout the story. Roderick’s prophecies were shown not only through text, but also through artwork, obscure mumbling, and poetry. Many Biblical prophecies are also depicted in paintings, poetry, and the speech of men. These prophecies caused Roderick to be treated like a drunkard or a madman, because of the claims he made about the fall of the Usher house. Many Biblical prophets were also treated as drunkards because of the claims that they made about the destruction to come (Robey 65). …show more content…
This ties the character to the Crucifixion and the Resurrection (Cook 31). The vault that held Madeline’s “dead” body was secured by a massive iron door. The cave that held Christ’ body was secured by a large stone (Cook 30). In The Fall of The House of Usher, Madeline is the one who is “resurrected”, fear inspiring, and flight inducing. When Madeline arose she frightened the narrator and Roderick. The narrator then proceeded to flee the scene, just as the women and men at the tomb of Christ did (Cook 32). The prophet Isaiah said that, “He will swallow up death in victory.” By rising from the “dead”, Madeline symbolizes how God will defeat death and make the “dead men live together with their dead bodies…that dwell in the dust (Isaiah 25:8, 26:19)” (Cook
Roderick Usher had many different prophecies throughout the story. Roderick’s prophecies were shown not only through text, but also through artwork, obscure mumbling, and poetry. Many Biblical prophecies are also depicted in paintings, poetry, and the speech of men. These prophecies caused Roderick to be treated like a drunkard or a madman, because of the claims he made about the fall of the Usher house. Many Biblical prophets were also treated as drunkards because of the claims that they made about the destruction to come (Robey 65). …show more content…
This ties the character to the Crucifixion and the Resurrection (Cook 31). The vault that held Madeline’s “dead” body was secured by a massive iron door. The cave that held Christ’ body was secured by a large stone (Cook 30). In The Fall of The House of Usher, Madeline is the one who is “resurrected”, fear inspiring, and flight inducing. When Madeline arose she frightened the narrator and Roderick. The narrator then proceeded to flee the scene, just as the women and men at the tomb of Christ did (Cook 32). The prophet Isaiah said that, “He will swallow up death in victory.” By rising from the “dead”, Madeline symbolizes how God will defeat death and make the “dead men live together with their dead bodies…that dwell in the dust (Isaiah 25:8, 26:19)” (Cook