"The Fall of the House of Usher," by Edgar Allan Poe, has baffled readers and critics. Some may see it as an attempt to create a horror story which frightens its readers, while others may focus on the more figurative meanings of the story. However, it is probably most helpful to interpret the story as a portrayal of what happens when one loses sanity. When considered this way, "The Fall of the House of Usher" is actually far more than just a scary tale; it is the artistic depiction of a mind gone mad.

One approach to understanding the true significance of this story lies in the many connections that Poe establishes for the reader. A setting itself can infect its inhabitants. In Poe's case, the house can be seen as an embodiment of Usher. For example, when the narrator reaches the house, he describes the "vacant and...