Dark Romanticism

Question 1

What are the characteristics of Dark Romanticism? How is it different from Transcendentalism and Romanticism?

Answer 1

• takes darker, more pessimistic approach
• explores human darkness instead of good side (Puritanism)
• psychological depth and madness
• supernatural and gothic elements

IN DETAIL
Dark Romanticism criticizes and opposes Romanticism‘s and Transcendentalism‘s optimism, glorification of nature, religious
experiences from going to the woods etc. -> It glorifies the dark and decaying element of nature, shows the negative sides of humans (their own inner decay, madness etc.).

Dark Romanticism focuses on the grotesque and sublime. -> Human nature and nature in general aren‘t just good and jolly, but also negative and dark. -> Inherent darkness in everything .

In D.R.: God is more or less dead.

Question 2

What gothic elements are found in “The Fall of the House of Usher”? Consider atmosphere, setting and narration

Answer 2

• doubling: 1st ps. narrator, no name
• haunted house; dreary landscape really serious; sickness;
• unreliable narration, symbolism

IN DETAIL: Atmosphere and setting:

The house of usher: full of cracks, moldy etc. -> So are the woods that surround them: Dark, gloomy, decaying, full of fungi, sick -> Terrifying, twisted version of beauty (what they call the horrible)

Narration: Unreliable narrator:

• Narrator hints that his credibility is seriously compromised due to him recounting everything that has happened through mere memory. Also he is not sure about what happened due to his lack of confidence in the supernatural things he witnessed.

Question 3

What different readings do we have of the story of “The Fall of the House of Usher”?

Answer 3

• gothic/supernatural
• psychological
• symbolic (house as metaphor)
  —> Dark Romanticism as critique for optimism of Transcendentalism

Psycho-analytical reading (Siegmund Freud-> the conscious and the unconscious): All of this might be representative of Rodrick Usher’s mind slowly decaying and dying (Also: Madeline might be representing his unconscious mind that he is trying to suppress).

Question 4

What does the house of the family symbolize in “The Fall of the House of Usher”? Is it connected to the condition of the family?

Answer 4

• narrator observes a crack: disruption of family
• sees it in the reflections of puddle of water: upside down
• mansion falls to pieces once Roderick and Madeleine die

IN DETAIL
It also symbolizes the mental and physical decay/collapse of the Ushers themselves (Rodrick looks paler, Madeline suffers from a disease that physically immobilizes her etc.).

-> Also: Doppelgänger effect (typical gothic feature: The narrator first witnesses Usher‘s mansion as a reflection in the tarn: Mirror image doubles the house, but upside down -> Characterizes relationship between Rodrick and Madeline: They are connected, yet also disconnected.

Question 5

What is the function of the poem „The Haunted Palace“?

Answer 5

• reflection of the family’s situation
• former glory and reputation, now in decay

It serves as a metaphor for the Usher family‘s decay cause it starts with a golden palace that is overtaken by evil and therefore decays.

Question 6

What are the elements of the tale/short story according to Poe?

Answer 6

• Unity of effects:
  Focusing on one incident + limited number of protagonists
  -> Focus on creating single emotional impact
• Carefully chosen plot and strict design: you can‘t shift or omit anything without losing the totality or unity of effect
• Brevity: To be read in one sitting (1/2 to 2 hours)