(from “The Fall of the House of Usher,” by Edgar Allan Poe)
Shaking off from my spirit what must have been a dream, I scanned more narrowly the real aspect of the building. Its principal feature seemed to be that of an excessive antiquity. The discoloration of ages had been great. Minute fungi overspread the whole exterior, hanging in a fine tangled web-work from the eaves. Yet all this was apart from any extraordinary dilapidation. No portion of the masonry had fallen; and there appeared to be a wild inconsistency between its still perfect adaptation of parts, and the crumbling condition of the individual stones. In this there was much that reminded me of the specious [definition: it looks nice but is falling apart] totality of old wood-work which has rotted for long years in some neglected vault, with no disturbance from the breath of the external air. Beyond this indication of extensive decay, however, the fabric gave little token of instability. Perhaps the eye of a scrutinizing observer might have discovered a barely perceptible fissure [definition: a small crack or opening], which, extending from the roof of the building in front, made its way down the wall in a zigzag direction, until it became lost in the sullen waters of the tarn.
If the effect was the narrator feeling uncomfortable at the sight of the house, what were the causes? What sentences and signal words tell you this? Be as detailed as possible in your response. Provide at least three sentences for your answer. Include specific quotations from the text that show why you came to your conclusion.
Answer:
The narrator’s discomfort comes from the physical state of the house. The house is described as having “excessive antiquity,” with “the discoloration of ages” and “minute fungi” covering it, indicating age and neglect. The narrator also notes an inconsistency between the still standing structure and “the crumbling condition of the individual stones,” suggesting a deceptive appearance of stability. Furthermore, the narrator observes a “barely perceptible fissure” in the wall, implying a hidden flaw or instability. These descriptions contribute to the narrator’s unease with the house. The phrases “excessive antiquity,” “crumbling condition,” and “barely perceptible fissure” serve as signal words indicating the causes of the narrator’s discomfort.