Dark Hauntings: "The Fall of the House of Usher" — Quiz
Question 1 • English III
Read the excerpt from Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher." His eyes were bent fixedly before him, and throughout his whole countenance there reigned a stony rigidity. But, as I placed my hand upon his shoulder, there came a strong shudder over his whole person; a sickly smile quivered about his lips; and I saw that he spoke in a low, hurried, and gibbering murmur, as if unconscious of my presence. Which statement best describes the effect of narration on the story?
Answer
A
The narration cultivates hatred for Usher and his sister.
B
The narration cultivates dread about Usher’s mental decline.
C
The narration cultivates apathy for Usher’s illness.
D
The narration cultivates concern about the men’s friendship.
Explanation
The narrator describes Usher’s rigid expression, sudden shudder, sickly smile, and hurried, incoherent speech. These disturbing details make his mental and physical deterioration seem frightening, creating dread about his mental decline. The passage does not focus on hatred or on the narrator’s friendship with Usher.
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