Even where the mood of these stories may seem gloomy or depressing, gothic literature also adds a unique dimension for readers, as it speaks of dark historical themes, such as slavery and aristocratic decay. ... The setting Poe creates here is an old, barren mansion passed down by generations and potentially haunted by its deceased former owners, as Usher and his sister are the last descendents of their family bloodline. ... Poe's incorporation of gothic imagery in his writing is also used to describe the atmosphere in the story with the opening lines, "During the whole of a dull, da...

• Word Count: 803
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate