We as humans are fascinated by supernatural creatures, such as vampires. The Usher’s were a paranormal family, meaning “of or relating to the claimed occurrence of an event or perception without scientific explanation, as psychokinesis, extrasensory perception, or other purportedly supernatural phenomena” (“paranormal” np). The paranormal activity could be explained by saying that, not only were there unnatural occurrences involving the family but, also involving the house.
By reading “The Fall of the House of Usher,” these occurrences could only be described by knowing the actions of vampires. It is evident that the Usher house and family portrayed such actions that make it easy to understand, from the interpretation, that they were of supernatural decent, such as Roderick’s actions, Madeline’s situation, and the falling of the Usher mansion. As stated in the previous paragraph, the Usher family is vampires. To support this idea, the narrator explains what it was like when he was unusually greeted by Roderick:
Upon my entrance, Usher arose from a sofa at which he had been lying at full length, and greeted me with a vivacious warmth which had much in it, I at first thought, of an overdone cordiality — of the constrained effort of the ennuye man of the world. (Poe np) At this moment, the narrator mentions that Roderick greeted him with a lively spirit and sincere affection towards him. However, it seemed to him that he might have just been overly worn out and exhausted. Why would that be? Not only did Roderick say he did not have any other friends, but he never left his house because there was a strange “connection.
He continues to talk and mentions that he has some symptoms of a sickness which include senses being heightened, inability to look at bright lights, only being able to eat tasteless food, scent of flowers being bothersome, certain fabrics to be an annoyance, and only being able to listen to string instruments (many of which relate to vampires). Apparently, it happens to everyone in his family. Then, he says, “I feel that the period will sooner or later arrive when I must abandon life and reason together, in some struggle with the grim phantasm, FEAR” (Poe np).
This quotation indicates that he believes death is near and he lives in fear because of it but what makes him think that? The reason that he believes his life is coming to an end sometime soon is because the symptoms mentioned play a part in him officially becoming a vampire. Not only does the situation and environment seem strange, but having a whole bookshelf based on the supernatural makes it seem so much stranger that now this is happening to him and his sister. Although Roderick did not seem like the most normal person to be with, he also lived with his strange twin sister, Madeline, who was his last and only relative alive.
When the narrator first met Madeline, she seemed to be in a so-called “trance” without even noticing his presence. This proves there was definitely something odd going on with her, possibly a symptom of vampire transformation. As mentioned in the story, Madeline has “A settled apathy, a gradual wasting away of the person, and frequent although transient affections of a partially cataleptical character, were the unusual diagnosis” (Poe np). Her diagnosis played a part in her transformation which lead to her “death,” also know as her resurrection, after officially becoming a vampire.
Roderick knew what was happening and that he would see his twin again unless, she was trapped. The narrator observes, “The door, a massive iron, had been, also, similarly protected. Its immense weight caused an unusually sharp grating sound, as it moved upon its hinges” (Poe np). The narrator thinks Roderick is hiding something from him (Madeline’s possible vampire state being seen and her resurrection). Before they could even blink, as tightly locked up as Madeline was, she made it out and was planning to attack Roderick.
She knew she could do so now because of her vampire strengths and advantages. Not just anyone can escape a nailed coffin inside a dark copper chamber. She kills Roderick using her new skills as if it is his fault for ending the Usher family line. Vampires can not reproduce which means it is officially the end for the Ushers. Most importantly, the Usher house was one of the biggest factors that contributed to the Vampire theory. After describing it as melancholy, the narrator points out, “I felt that I breathed an atmosphere of sorrow.
An air stern, deep, and irredeemable gloom hung over and pervaded all” (Poe np). This could also be interpreted by saying it carried weird vibes along with it and it definitely did not seem like a normal house. It was an unusual house that had an unusual presence. There was definitely a supernatural connection with this house. To be more specific there was a type of vampire connection. Once the narrator leaves the house, it falls due to its supernatural connection being gone.
The author confirms: -there was a tumultuous shouting sound like the voice of a thousand waters –and the deep and dank tarn at my feet closed sullenly and silently over the fragments of the “HOUSE OF USHER. (Poe np) Not only did the house now die, so did all the Usher vampires along with it, which explains the many screams coming from the collapsing house. To conclude “The Fall of the House of Usher,” it is evident that the Usher house and family portrayed such actions that make it easy to understand, from the interpretation, that they were of supernatural decent, such as Roderick’s actions, Madeline’s situation, and the falling of the Usher mansion.
The Usher’s being vampires is definitely the only clear explanation that can be understood in this situation. Many readers believe that they were actually vampires based on the vivacious vampire vibes present in the story. By reading the story, it could now be easily understood how us as humans are fascinated by supernatural creatures, such as vampires.