Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the story, and support their choices with details from the text.
The terror arises not only on the part of the reader through the creepiness of the setting, the state of Usher, and the ghastly sounds coming from the vaults; it also comes from Usher’s realization that he probably buried his sister alive. As she appears in the doorway in the middle of a horrific storm, covered in blood and in her final gasps, the narrator, now terrified by what he has just witnessed, runs outside only to see the entire house break and fall into the tarn. The fact that his friend and his sister are dead are bad enough; the house is clearly connected to them and they to the house, and once this connection is broken, the narrator bears witness to its utter destruction.
Death is a popular theme found in many of Poe’s works. Poe first explores an almost Romeo and Juliet-like moment when the narrator notices that Madeline is still flushed in death. This is a glaring hint for readers that Madeline might not, indeed, be dead, and that there may be consequences for burying her alive. Indeed, she escape, and uses her last bits of strength to find her brother and fall onto him. The sight of his sister, along with the weeks of emotional and mental unrest connected with her illness and the house, cause Usher to die as well. The house, connected to the last vestige of the Usher family, dies too, breaking down the crack on the exterior wall and falling into the tarn.
An additional theme is the fragility of the human mind. Many have posited that this story reflects the interconnectedness of the human mind with the environment around it. Roderick, Madeline, and the family house all seem to have a connection with each other. As one gets more ill (Madeline), the others fall into similar states of disrepair. The human mind is also often affected by the people and settings around it. Other people and places have an impact on the mind’s mood, interpretations, and emotions. It often does not take much to crack, much like the crack that has appeared in outside wall of the House of Usher. Poe once said that his poem, "The Haunted Palace" that Roderick sings was meant to imply, "a mind haunted by phantoms - a disordered brain."
An important symbol is the crack in the exterior wall that the narrator notices upon his arrival at the house. This is often said to represent the crack in the foundation of the Usher family, which will come when death officially separates the twin heirs. The crack is what splits the entire house apart after their deaths, and what brings the house itself crumbling down into the tarn. The fall of the actual house is also the end of the Usher family line.
The house itself is also a symbol. The mansion is in a state of gloom. The windows resemble vacant eyes; the landscape is decaying; the whole scene gives the narrator a feeling of dread. The house reflects the imminent death of Madeline from a mysterious malady, and the state of her brother Roderick, who knows he is going to lose his twin sister and the last connection to their family.
The poem that Roderick Usher has written, titled "The Haunted Palace", recounts a king who once lived in a "fair and stately palace." Eventually, however, "evil things" assailed the estate, destroying it and the king, leaving only phantoms of happiness behind. Much like Roderick, his family, and the mansion were once proud and among the living, but they are being taken over now by the evil forces of death.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting important themes, symbols, and motifs in "The Fall of the House of Usher".
Capture students’ interest by leading an interactive class discussion on themes, symbols, and motifs from The Fall of the House of Usher. Use open-ended questions and allow students to share their ideas, which builds confidence and encourages deeper thinking.
Gather all needed resources such as copies of the story, storyboard templates, colored pencils, and example illustrations. Having everything ready in advance helps the lesson run smoothly and maximizes student focus.
Prompt students to find at least one theme, symbol, and motif in the story. Encourage them to use direct quotes or details from the text to support their choices, which strengthens their analytical skills.
Demonstrate how to create a simple yet meaningful storyboard panel focused on a chosen theme or symbol. Show how to select images, characters, and colors that reflect the mood and importance of each element.
Invite students to present their storyboards to the class or in small groups. Encourage supportive feedback and ask follow-up questions to deepen understanding and foster a collaborative classroom environment.
'The Fall of the House of Usher' explores key themes such as terror, death, and the fragility of the human mind. These themes are reflected through the eerie setting, the mental states of the characters, and the symbolic fall of the Usher family home.
To teach symbolism in the story, have students identify important symbols like the crack in the house, the Usher mansion, and "The Haunted Palace" poem. Ask them to connect each symbol to the characters and themes, and illustrate examples using storyboards or visual aids.
The crack in the house symbolizes the impending collapse of both the Usher family and their home. It represents the family's fractured state and foreshadows the final destruction that occurs when the last heirs die.
Poe uses motifs like 'The Haunted Palace' poem to mirror the decline of the Usher family and Roderick's mind. The poem symbolizes a once-great house overtaken by darkness, paralleling the story's themes of mental decay and loss.
Quick lesson ideas include: creating storyboards on key themes and symbols, having students find textual evidence for each theme, discussing the connection between setting and mood, and comparing the house's state to the characters' mental health.