Essay Poe

Comparison and Contrast Essay

     The two short stories discussed in class were "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "A Rose for Emily". These two short short stories are found in the same conversation because of their big similarities and also different contrast. The main similarity for me was the style these stories have been written. The genre in this stories are gothic style and is characterized by elements of fear, horror and often death. We are first introduced to these elements in the way their houses are being described and the horrific way both of these stories end. All in all both are developed around an atmosphere of mistery and suspense.

     The main characters in "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "A Rose for Emily" have wierd personalities when we read about them. They never leave the house and aren't very social either. As the story progresses we soon learn that these characters are menstally ill. Moving on to how these stories end we can see a major reflection of the gothic style which is death. We can't help but notice the two main characters that die, Emily and Roderick that is. "The Fall of the House of Usher" and a "Rose for Emily" can be broken apart by pieces and be put toguether again. There are so much more elements these two compare but for me these where the ones that caught my eye.

     One of the main differences in "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "A Rose for Emily" were the point of views. In "A Rose for Emily" we read the story from the point of view of the neighbors. That made us look at the story from the outside. "The Fall of the House of Usher" is written from the perspective of the narrator which is a character in the story. That made us look at the story from the inside. Another difference is the way both of these stories are chronogically developed. In "A Rose for Emily" the story starts at the end of the story.

     When we first read "A Rose for Emily" we learn that she has died but then we go back to the events before her death. In "The Fall of the House of Usher" the story is developed in chronological order. Another mayor difference is that we get to know a little bit more of Roderick Usher than Emily. "A Rose for Emily" causes the reader questions of why she did the things she did.

     In conclusion, there are several elements that unite these two stories but they are also very unique on their own way. These stories are misterious, spooky and very different from the normal things we read. We are introduced to a new genre that is very interesting and different. Each is unique but fun also.