Question

Read the excerpt from Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher." Shaking this off with a gasp and a struggle, I uplifted myself upon the pillows, and, peering earnestly within the intense darkness of the chamber, hearkened -- I know not why, except that an instinctive spirit prompted me -- to certain low and indefinite sounds which came, through the pauses of the storm, at long intervals, I knew not whence. Overpowered by an intense sentiment of horror, unaccountable yet unendurable, I threw on my clothes with haste. Which word from this excerpt could be used to argue that the narrator is unreliable?

Answer 1

I would say that the words that make the narrator sound unsure of himself and therefore unreliable is when “I know not” and “I knew not” repeat in the excerpt. By the author saying that he was unsure and unaware of what was happening, it shows that he is just as unknowledable as the reader is in regards to what is happening in the suspicious and murky home.

I hope this helps you! :)

Answer 2

C: “indefinite” suggests the narrators lack of knowledge.

Step-by-step explanation:

These are the options that come with this question:

A: “shaking” suggests the narrators nervous.

B: “struggle” suggests the narrators weakness.

C: “indefinite” suggests the narrators lack of knowledge.

D: “over powered” suggests the narrators lack of control.

The word "indefinite" is the one that best shows that the narrator is unreliable. In this passage, we learn that the narrator is very scared and nervous about a particular situation. However, he seems to be very confused about his own feelings. He does not know why he is afraid, what the source of the noises is, or where they are coming from. This lack of knowledge is reflected in the speaker's use of the word "indefinite," which shows that he is an unreliable narrator.