Question

In this activity, you will write a response in Spanish and submit it to your teacher.

Read the critique of Edgar Allan Poe’s, "The Fall of the House of Usher," and answer the questions below.

The anonymous protagonist of the story is surprised to receive an unexpected letter from a childhood friend with whom he had not been in contact for many years. In the letter, the sender, Mr. Roderick Usher, asks the protagonist to pay him a visit to lift his spirits, since he is in poor health. When the protagonist comes face to face with his old friend, he is puzzled by his bad appearance. Apparently that strange disease that he suffers from has affected him a lot and he has very little hope left. From the first moment the protagonist approaches his friend's home, he realizes the intense sensation of decadence in the old house. The old trees in the surroundings, the obvious damage to the house, as well as its dilapidated furniture, add to that feeling. As the plot develops, the author seems to make a comparison between the perception of decadence experienced by the protagonist and the progressive psychological worsening of Mr. Usher. In addition to his illness, the suffering of his twin Madeline is also added. A succession of terrible events that take place throughout the story will lead to a tragic ending that will leave the reader with many questions.

A. Why does Mr. Usher ask the protagonist to come visit him?

B. What happens when the protagonist comes face to face with his old friend?

Answer 1

A. El Sr. Usher le pide al protagonista que lo visite para levantarle el ánimo, ya que se encuentra delicado de salud.

B. Cuando el protagonista se encuentra cara a cara con su viejo amigo, queda desconcertado por su mala apariencia. Al parecer, la extraña enfermedad que padece le ha afectado mucho y le quedan muy pocas esperanzas. Además, el protagonista percibe una intensa sensación de decadencia en la antigua casa y en su entorno, lo que parece ser una comparación con el progresivo empeoramiento psicológico del Sr. Usher.