TFOTHOU 6 groupe A

 Observations

The narrator uses very specific words to describe his friend. He says he's an ennuyé man of the world (which echoes the French expression mal du siècle to speak about the Romantic age) ; he's also described like a tragic hero : his "struggles" are "feeble and futile," and he inspires "fear and awe" (see Aristotle). 

Catharsis=purification

Greek Tragedies were devoted to Dyonisius

When Usher says his sister and him are going to die, is it plausible, is it avoidable ?

Furthermore, his sister Madeline is also Roderick's twin. 

The Theme of the Double :

In The Fall of the House of Usher, the narrator insists on the physical ressemblance of Lady Madeline and her brother Roderick. They both have a classical beauty, and are week and feeble. They're twins. They're both sick. They're both likely to die soon. They both have some sort of a link with the House.

Poe had already explored the theme of the (evil) double in another short story entitled William Wilson, where a doppleganger (evil double) replaces the main character and takes over his life. French psyhciatrist Capgras later found that some people thought that their family had been replaced by doubles.

Summary 

1 : The narrator talks about the windows and the room of R. Usher.

2 : He describes Usher physically.

3 :  He describes Usher's behaviour and temperament.

4 : Usher talks about his condition.

5 : Usher says he's going to die

6 : Usher says the house has a bad influence on him.

7 : The narrator meets the Lady Madeline, and Usher talks about her (she's going to die too).

8 : The narrator describes the disease of Madeline (catalepsy).

9 :  the narrator tries to relieve Usher from his melancholy (guitar playing).

10 : the narrator tries to relieve Usher from his melancholy (talk together, paint, read)

11 : the narrator tries to relieve Usher from his melancholy (the narrator takes a look at one of Usher's painting -> it's a vault)






Observations !


Summary ! 

1 : he describes the studio of Usher, and his own feelings.

2 : the narrator describes the mental situation of Usher and his physical appearance.

3 : He reflects on Usher's movements (he was like a statue before).

4 : Roderick Usher talks about his condition.

5 : Roderick talks about fear, and about his probable death.

6 : Roderick says his mental state is influenced by the house.

7 : Roderick talks about his sister ; the narrator can see her.

8 : We learn that his sister has an illness (catalepsy).

9 : the narrator tries to relieve Usher from his melancholy (guitar playing)

10 : the narrator tries to relieve Usher from his melancholy (talking together ; paint, look at paintings, reading)

11 : the narrator talks about one of Usher's painting (the inside of a tomb)


- lab

- 50/50 light dark

- colours



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