Psychoanalytic Elucidation of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”: Exploring the Unconscious Mind
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Abstract
Edgar Allan Poe, a prominent Romantic writer of the 1800s, led a troubled life that significantly influenced his literary works. This study conducts a bibliographical analysis focusing on one of Poe's short stories, "The Fall of the House of Usher," to delve into specific psychoanalytic aspects of the characters, providing readers with a deeper understanding. The primary objective of this paper is to employ a psychoanalytic approach to uncover the distinctive elements in Poe's work and to explore parallels with other literary works. The specific goals of this analysis encompass understanding how the uncanny feeling is established within Poe's narrative and recognizing the manifestation of Sigmund Freud's three aspects of the mind in "The Fall of the House of Usher." The findings illuminate the house serving as a metaphorical shelter for the characters, mirroring the mind's role as a sanctuary for the conscious and unconscious elements in the story. Roderick Usher embodies the ego, Madeline is linked to the id, and the narrator represents the superego. Fundamentally, this study underscores the significance of psychology in the literary analysis of Poe's work. The psychoanalytical approach offers a fresh perspective, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the narrative. By identifying the characters as representations of the ego, id, and superego, respectively, the study contributes to a richer exploration of the intricate psychological dimensions embedded in "The Fall of the House of Usher."
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