Edgar Allen Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" lässt sich unter vielen Gesichtspunkten interpretieren. Diese Arbeit untersucht die Kurzgeschichte auf Indizien eines möglichen Falls von Vampirismus im Geschlecht der Ushers.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Whats is Vampirism?
3. Indices for a vampire story
3.1 Indices for Roderick
3.2 Indices for Madeline
3.3 Indices for the Mansion
4. Explanation of the Mysterious Situations
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper aims to provide a unique interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" by analyzing the narrative through the lens of vampire lore. It explores the theory that the characters and the mansion exhibit vampiric traits, suggesting that the suffering of the Ushers is a consequence of the house's malevolent, vampiric influence.
- The definition and historical context of vampirism.
- Analysis of Roderick Usher's physical and behavioral indications of vampirism.
- Examination of Lady Madeline as a potential "undead" figure within the story.
- Investigation of the mansion itself as a source of vampiric, life-draining energy.
- Interpretation of obscure or confusing plot points based on vampire mythology.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3 Indices for the Mansion
The House of Usher itself seems to be the source of all the happenings in the story. It seems to be the source of all evil. The house is the cause for the family evil, it seems to influence the Ushers. By following the hints and the notes about the house, one can see characteristics that point to the conclusion that the mansion itself is a vampire or at least has a kind of vampiric soul.
The first indications are shown at the very beginning, when the narrator sees the house for the first time. The whole nature around the house seems to be dead, the vegetation as well as the tarn nearby the house. Even the house itself seems to be dead, it looks decaying and very old and antique. All these are characteristics of a vampire.
The narrator also notices the “eye-like windows” (p.138) and web-like minute fungi covering the house. When he is in the house he notices that the windows let only a red light into the house. In vampire lore, vampires had a faint red gloom in their eyes. These notes give the house the appearance of a face. Later, Roderick includes this feature in his poem. (Another evidence for his knowledge of what happens). Analysing this fact, Bailey mentions the idea the house may be possessed by a vampire (Bailey, p.451), pointing to the common belief of vampire lore about possessed houses or castles, and citing Montague Summers:
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the Gothic nature of the story and outlines the research objective to interpret "The Fall of the House of Usher" as a vampire narrative.
2. Whats is Vampirism?: This section establishes the essential definition and characteristics of vampires in literature and folklore to provide a foundation for the subsequent analysis.
3. Indices for a vampire story: This chapter identifies and analyzes evidence for vampiric traits in the three primary subjects: Roderick, Madeline, and the mansion.
4. Explanation of the Mysterious Situations: This section addresses confusing scenes in the original text by applying the logic of the vampire hypothesis to explain character motivations and supernatural events.
5. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, asserting that a vampire interpretation is a highly plausible way to explain the story's complexities and subtle hints.
Keywords
Edgar Allan Poe, The Fall of the House of Usher, Gothic Literature, Vampirism, Undead, Roderick Usher, Madeline Usher, Vampire Lore, Supernatural, Gothic Novel, Psychic Sponge, Exorcism, Literary Analysis, Gothic Fiction, Symbolism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this research paper?
The paper seeks to explore an unconventional interpretation of Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher," specifically arguing that the story can be read as a tale of vampirism.
What are the core thematic fields addressed in the work?
The work covers Gothic literature, the characteristics of vampires in folklore, the psychological impact of fear, and the analysis of literary symbols within Poe's narrative.
What is the central research question?
The research asks whether the characters and the mansion in the story exhibit specific traits that, when analyzed through the context of vampire lore, provide a logical explanation for the story's mysterious events.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The author uses a qualitative literary analysis approach, comparing textual evidence from the original story against established tropes and definitions found in historical vampire literature and secondary essays.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body defines vampirism, conducts character-specific analyses for Roderick and Madeline, examines the mansion as a character, and provides specific interpretations for ambiguous scenes like the tomb and the final collapse.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
The study is best characterized by terms such as Gothic literature, vampirism, Poe, the "undead," literary symbolism, and supernatural influence.
How does the author interpret the house itself?
The author interprets the mansion not just as a setting, but as a "psychic sponge" that acts as a vampire, draining the vitality of the inhabitants, Roderick and Madeline.
Why does the author suggest Roderick keeps Madeline in the vault?
The paper suggests that Roderick, being aware of the "family evil," acts to contain her potential vampiric rebirth by performing rituals and sealing her away, fearing the physical danger she poses as a twin.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Marta Kruzynski (Autor:in), 2010, Following the Tracks of the Undead, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/174758
