In the short story “The Fall of the House of Usher” Edgar Allen Poe uses many familiar literary elements to convey a total effect. These elements are setting, characters, plot, and theme. Throughout the story Poe masterfully chooses words to combine these elements for his effect. In this story the effect is decadence and despair. These are seen in the story from the beginning to the end, in everything from the house to the characters. …showed first 75 words of 628 total…

…showed last 75 words of 628 total…effect in the story. What is the final point of decadence? The termination or elimination of the decaying subject, and that is exactly what happens to the house and the its occupants. By using setting and the other elements, Poe shows continually the decline and despair of the house and the people associated with it. Poe cleverly merged these elements together in “The Fall of the House of Usher” for the purpose of total effect