The Fall of the House of Usher

Main Characters and Their Development

• Roderick Usher - the main character, owner of the Usher house. He suffers from a nervous disorder and hypersensitivity, leading him to a state of extreme anxiety and depression. Roderick is deeply connected to the house, which symbolizes his mental state. Throughout the story, his condition deteriorates, becoming increasingly unstable, ultimately leading to his demise.
• Madeline Usher - Roderick Usher's sister, who also suffers from a mysterious illness. She is described as a ghostly figure, often in a catatonic state. At the end of the story, she rises from the grave, symbolizing the destruction of the Usher house and leading to a tragic conclusion.
• Unnamed narrator - a childhood friend of Roderick Usher, who visits the Usher house at Roderick's request. He witnesses the gradual deterioration of Roderick's mental state and the mystical events occurring in the house. The narrator attempts to help Roderick but ultimately becomes a witness to the fall of the Usher house.