The influence of the house in “The Fall of the House of Usher” and its supernatural characteristics

In "The Fall of the House of Usher", Poe uses the life-like characteristics of the decaying house of Usher as a device for giving the house a supernatural atmosphere. This not only makes the story act upon the reader in a grabbing way, but it also creates an impression of fear, mystery and horror, typical for Poe’s literary works. For example, from the very beginning of the story, the reader can tell that there …

…he has with no reason, indicating that the house has an unknown, abnormal effect on him. Throughout the story, Poe's metaphor of the house and the inanimate objects inside serve to give a ghostly, thrilling atmosphere to the story. By presenting inanimate objects with vivid characteristics, he is giving the house a ghostly quality. This supernatural element serves to make Poe's story interesting and suspenseful in his presentation of the house's effect on its inhabitants.