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FalloftheHouseofUsherThemeActivity-1

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16 views3 pages

FalloftheHouseofUsherThemeActivity-1

Uploaded by

tara.burchett
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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English III CP Name: ________________________

“The Fall of the House of Usher”


Theme Activity Date: _____________ Period: ____

BACKGROUND
In his definition of the short story, Poe stated that “truth is often, and in very great degree, the
aim of the short story.” In other words, in addition to being constructed to achieve a single
effect, short stories are often written to make a point, or express a general truth about life. The
general truth a story expresses is the story’s theme. There have been many different
interpretations of the theme of “The Fall of the House of Usher.” Read the themes below,
choose one, and find evidence and a key passage to support the theme you have chosen.
Complete this work on the attached handout.

THEME CHOICES
1. In the absence of contact with the real world, the human imagination can produce a
distorted perception of reality.
2. When isolated from the real world, a person can be infected by another person’s fears and
false perceptions of reality.
3. If artists (many critics believe that Roderick Usher represents a typical creative artist)
completely turn away from the external world and become drawn into the internal world
of their imaginations, they ultimately destroy their capacity to create and may eventually
destroy themselves.
4. The landscape and the minds of the characters are mirror images reflecting the theme of
nothingness—the house and family are lifeless, barren.
5. The Ushers betray their individuality: as a result, they love, merge (hence this is called
the “incest theme”) and become one being, and eventually drag each other to death.
6. The apocalypse, the ending of the world and the collapse of all constructions at the
moment of final judgment, befalls the Ushers (hence this is called the “apocalyptic
theme.)

FINDING EVIDENCE
1. Explain how the theme can be seen as a valid interpretation of the meaning of the story.
A Valid Critical Analysis is one that applies to the entire text. Show how the theme is
valid by giving 3 examples: one from the beginning, one from the middle, and one from
the end of the short story (see handout).

2. Find a key passage which illustrates the theme. A key passage is defined as shorter
section, about 8-30 lines, of a longer work of fiction which sharply illuminates theme or
character, captures an important element of the whole story, and is more richly composed
than other sections. “Richness” can be seen in philosophical content, detail, or word
choice. Find ONE key passage to support the theme (see handout).
English III CP Name: ________________________
“The Fall of the House of Usher”
Theme Activity Date: _____________ Period: ____

THEME CHOICE:
_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

FINDING EVIDENCE: EXAMPLES FROM STORY


Write the example in paraphrase, please note page number.
Page No. Specific Textual Examples What happens
Beginning Example

Middle Example

End Example

FINDING EVIDENCE: KEY PASSAGE


Page No.___________________
Write out passage:
Why passage is important to theme:

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