Final answer:
The storm in "The Fall of the House of Usher" symbolizes internal chaos and foreshadows the house's ultimate destruction, reflecting the fatalistic theme of the story.
Step-by-step explanation:
The storm in "The Fall of the House of Usher" is not only a literal meteorological event but also serves as a powerful symbol of psychological turmoil and impending doom, closely mirroring the state of decay within the House of Usher and its inhabitants. As the storm reaches its climax, it coincides with the pivotal moment in the story, where the fissure in the house dramatically widens, ultimately leading to the physical collapse of the building and the final demise of the Usher lineage. This scene underscores the intense connection between the Usher family and their ancestral home, with the storm acting as an external manifestation of the internal chaos.
The narrative strategically employs the storm to evoke feelings of terror and suspense. The blood-red moon emits a wild light, casting an unearthly glow through the fissure, which symbolizes the actual 'fall' of the house. Thus, Poe's storm is noteworthy both for its atmospheric terror and its symbolic resonance as it reflects the story's fatalistic themes of reflection, destruction, and inevitability.