In 19th century literature, whether it be prose or poetry, there is a central idea, a certain motif that can be found in many works - the concept of dualism. Many Victorians believed that there was an essential duality of life that was not only found in nature, but also constituted the very, dual nature of mankind. This concept has long before been discussed by the French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes who coined the term “Cartesian Dualism“, which approaches the idea that the self is divided into body and mind and that the two, while always conflicting, are intimately related (Skirry). In terms of literature, this conflict and idea of fragmentation of the human mind was often “expressed with the character‘s self-division or selfduplication“ (Krehl 1).
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the concept of dualism in 19th century literature
2. Transitoriness and atmospheric contrast in the setting
3. The living house: symbolism of decay and reflection
4. Parallels between the House of Usher and its inhabitants
5. Cartesian Dualism and the psychological double
6. Synthesis of the doppelgänger motif and structural collapse
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the pervasive concept of dualism in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," analyzing how the narrative blurs the boundaries between the real and the surreal through the interplay of character and setting.
- The application of Cartesian Dualism to the relationship between mind and body.
- The use of the doppelgänger motif as a manifestation of a fragmented psyche.
- The symbolism of the house as a reflection of physical and mental decay.
- The significance of transitoriness and Gothic elements in foreshadowing destruction.
- The symbiotic connection between the Usher siblings and their ancestral mansion.
Excerpt from the book
The living house and its decayed surroundings
Poe paints a picture of a living house that stands in great contrast to its decayed surroundings. Personifications, such as “eye-like windows“ and the vapor that later in the story is referred to as “exhalation“, as well as the fact that “minute fungi overspread the whole exterior [of the house], hanging in a fine web-work from the cave“ (Poe 201) underline the idea that the house seems to have living features and suggest that there is a strong contrast of life and death covering the framework of the story. “Such figures of speech associate the inorganic with the organic or even human worlds, and condition the reader to accept an even closer and closer relationship between the two“ (Robinson 70). Also, the almost invisible crack that runs down the masonry of the house suggests that the following story will be about a particular separation (Poe 202). Robinson also suggests that this diagonal crack signifies that the “order of the mansion still functions but obviously is threatened with instability and collapse“ (70).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to the concept of dualism in 19th century literature: Defines the motif of dualism and its historical philosophical context, setting the stage for an analysis of Poe's narrative.
2. Transitoriness and atmospheric contrast in the setting: Explores the apocalyptic opening of the story and how the setting foreshadows the inevitable decay of the Usher family.
3. The living house: symbolism of decay and reflection: Discusses the personification of the mansion and the narrator's rational struggle to comprehend the house's sinister atmosphere.
4. Parallels between the House of Usher and its inhabitants: Establishes the physical and mental connections between Roderick, Madeline, and the structural integrity of their home.
5. Cartesian Dualism and the psychological double: Applies the theory of the mind-body split to the siblings, positing that Madeline serves as a physical manifestation of Roderick's psyche.
6. Synthesis of the doppelgänger motif and structural collapse: Concludes that the interdependence of the characters and the house leads inevitably to their shared destruction.
Keywords
Dualism, Edgar Allan Poe, The Fall of the House of Usher, Cartesian Dualism, Doppelgänger, Gothic, Transitoriness, Roderick Usher, Madeline Usher, Psychology, Symbolism, Decay, Mind-Body Split, Literature, Fragmentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on the concept of dualism in "The Fall of the House of Usher," specifically exploring how motifs like mirror images and the doppelgänger define the characters and the setting.
What are the central themes discussed?
Central themes include the fragmentation of the mind, the interplay between the organic and inorganic worlds, and the reflection of psychological decay in physical environments.
What is the main research question or goal?
The primary goal is to analyze how Poe creates a narrative that obliterates the line between reality and the surreal by utilizing dualistic structures.
Which scientific or theoretical framework is applied?
The paper utilizes the framework of Cartesian Dualism—the philosophy that the self is divided into mind and body—to interpret the character dynamics.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The body covers the symbolic setting of the mansion, the parallel physical and mental aging of the inhabitants, and the psychological role of Madeline as a double.
Which terms best characterize this work?
Key terms include Cartesian Dualism, doppelgänger, transitoriness, Gothic, symbolism, and psychological fragmentation.
How does the author interpret the crack in the house?
The author interprets the crack in the masonry as a significant symbol of the separation within the house’s structure and as a sign of impending collapse.
Why does the author consider Madeline to be a psychological double?
The author argues that because Roderick and Madeline are codependent and mirror each other’s physical decay, they function as a single entity rather than separate individuals.
- Quote paper
- Annemarie Falk (Author), 2013, Dualism in Edgar Allen Poe's "Fall of the House of Usher", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/230687
