Tuesday, October 5, 2010

What is the nature of Usher's art?

Roderick Usher follows in the footsteps of generations of Ushers and their artistic temperament. Roderick paints, plays music, and writes poetry and prose.

At the time of the narrator's visit, he observes Roderick's paintings, and notices that they are so abstract in form that they cannot be described.

The only music that Roderick will pale is that of his guitar and other stringed instruments. He tells the narrator that is all he can tolerate.

The poem that the narrator discusses is that of a mythical palace that is inhabited by Thought. It is a peaceful and pure place until an "evil thing" causes Thought to become melancholy and the tale ends with impending doom.

All of Roderick's artful endeavors are now much like Roderick himself, melancholy, dark, and with a sense of foreboding.

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