Gothic romanticism: Hawthorne, Poe, and Bauldelaire

Objective:
READ: Dr. Heidegger's Experiment
READ: The Fall of the House of Usher
READ: The Masque of Red Death

ANSWER ON YOUR BLOG: 

1. There are many interpretations of “The Fall of the House of Usher”. One interpretation suggests that Usher’s nervousness and weakness are the results of Madeline Usher’s being a vampire. Using details from the story, write an analysis of the story that supports this interpretation.
2. How do the Gothic fiction writers express—either directly or indirectly—a criticism of human nature. Explain what the writers criticize about human nature, and how they communicate this criticism to the reader. Do the writers have similar attitudes toward human nature? Explain.

answer 1: In the story, "The Fall of the House of Usher" certain details within the story may lead the reader with the impression that Madeline Usher is a vampire, and that is why Usher is so nervous and weak. These details include, but are not limited to the rosiness of Madeline's cheeks when she was buried,  the fact that Usher knew that Madeline had probably been buried alive, because he'd been hearing her. And of course this line, "Her rare disease which He admitted, however, although with hesitation, that much of the peculiar gloom which thus afflicted him could be traced to a more natural and far more palpable origin -- to the severe and long-continued illness -- indeed to the evidently approaching dissolution -- of a tenderly beloved sister -- his sole companion for long years -- his last and only relative on earth. "Her decease," he said, with a bitterness which I can never forget, 'would leave him (him the hopeless and the frail) the last of the ancient race of the Ushers.'" Learn to use a period, buddy. Taking a look at this line under the context of Madeline being a vampire it has a whole new meaning. To an unsuspecting unnamed narrator it seems as if his friend is sick because he's been so concerned about his beloved sister, but when the vampire theory is factored in it has a double message that suggests he's trying to say, "Hey, my sister's responsible, because she's a bloodsucking monster. Hello!" So, in short that theory is probably spot -on.

answer 2: As writer's of the Gothic romanticism era, an era that emphasized the faults, and explored the capabilities of evil of the human frame, most literature of their time finds a way to criticize human nature. Whether they show it through a wise old doctor observing his friends act as idiots fumbling after youth, and beauty, or through an idiot prince who thinks it's a good idea to ignore a disease ravaging his country. The writer's criticize certain vain characteristics in humanity, and many characteristics associated with youth. They do this through  characters which display the problematic characteristics, and displaying negative effects of having those things. The writer's have similar negative view about characteristics associated with foolish youth.