Recently, I have read several short stories written by Edgar Allan Poe. One of them really marked me with the exploitation of the theme of madness, and it is called The Fall of the House of Usher. Whether you have already read it or not, I think you will understand the extent of this particular theme.
The most important aspect of the theme, in my opinion, is the disconnection from reality. In fact, the man, Roderick Usher, thinks everything in his environment is constantly looking at him. He thinks the rocks and the windows are always looking and checking out each and every one of his actions. His fear of ending the family line leads him to disconnect with the reality, leading him to extreme madness.
Another form of disconnection is when the narrator of the story himself is reading a story to Roderick. While the narrator reads the story, hiding his own fear and madness, Roderick keeps staring at the door, fearing the return of his wife Madeline, talking to himself. If this is not proof of disconnection with reality and madness, I do not know what it is!
I hope my little introduction to the story helps you understand how important this theme is in most of Poe’s story, especially in The Fall of the House of Usher.
Rosalie 😊
R&D Gothic Discoveries 