My interpretation of the “Fall of the House of Usher”

The Fall of the House of Usher is a masterpiece (in my opinion), written by Edgar Allan Poe. I mean damn he was good at writing stories such as this. He confused many with his words, for they have many interpretations and meanings. These interpretations vary from person to person, as my English Teacher once said “reading levels” of the readers. I tend not t o use reading levels, it just puts down people who can't follow the story. Anyway, this is “my” interpretation of the story. Being both descriptive and vague at the same time kicks ass!

In my mind, I believe there are two explanations. First view is the probable existence of certain drugs and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, more commonly known as LSD. My second view is lead (Pb), since people back then did not know it can be hazardous to your health. Hmm...I'll just stick with the subject with the drugs, more exciting that way.

Everyone from the narrator, Lord Roderick User, and Madeline were what you call druggies. Back in the day both the narrator and User were “even intimate associates”, and the fact that not much is known about Usher makes the impression he of being an acquaintance; a drug dealer. Otherwise, why would he have gone to aid Usher if you never seen him for a long time? To get stoned, drunk, and pretty much anything you could do with his shit. Refer to the phrase “...lost drunkard, or the irreclaimable eater of opium, during the periods of his most intense excitement.”

“Her decease, would leave him the last of the ancient race of the Ushers...” How convenient. Deceased Madeline happens to be alive, and was seen walking around the house. Why Usher thinks she's dead? Why she had shot up a large does of heroin, and was unconscious for a while. Usher just believed she died, and called the narrator for help “bury” her. Since he is responsible for her addiction, he feels responsible and guilty; note his depression throughout the story.

As noted, Usher loves music, and seems to be attuned in the fine arts. You can usually listen to music when your stoned, to keep yourself from “hearing things” in your high state (so I've heard). In the story, his sensitive senses are painful to him. The dark brooding library of death, witchcraft, and other oddities describe either Usher and/or Madeline likes to have dark, evil things around (Goths). It isn't that unusual these days, I know a few people with this kind of shit at home.

“Mad Trist” and the coincidental happenings outside was because of a trip they took before they began the story. LSD is one of the more powerful hallucination drugs you can get today without getting “addicted”. Since entertainment back then was limited to attending plays, operas, and books, I wouldn't be surprised they needed to add a little more “oomph” to that dreary world of theirs.

The part by which Madeline “returns” and both Usher and Madeline occurs when Madeline accidentally takes a lethal does of heroin. This should explain all the blood that was covering her. She then jumps off the threshold down onto her brother Usher, who dies from impact. The narrator, who just before was on LSD, ran like the coward he was, believing the house was being swallowed by God as the “Mighty walls rushing asunder.” In reality the house still stands with two addicts down dead...one more to go.

This is “my” interpretation of this great story. Sure it may have been the lead paint and plumbing that drove everyone crazy. It also may because of unnatural beliefs of vampires. Believe it or not this probably happens within our life time as much it happens in theirs. Just remember these words... “This is what it feels like when your getting high...your gonna DIE! AHHH! THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING ON'TA ME #&)#()!)&.”