Study Guide House Taken Over and The Fall of the House of Usher

What is the mood, or overall feeling, established in "House Taken Over."

Creepy

How do "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "House Taken Over" differ in their approach to describing events, characters, and places?

Fall of House of Usher- vividly describes frightening events, while House Taken Over- calmly shows a growing threat.

At the beginning of "The Fall of the House of Usher," what does the narrator do?

He goes to the house of Usher to help out a friend.

How does the narrator's response to the supernatural events in "The Fall of the House of Usher" differ from the characters' response in "House Taken Over"?

House of Usher- narrator tried to help and see what was happening. Taken Over- They ran with out trying to figure it out. Also, calmly avoids and ignores the threat.

At the beginning of "House Taken Over," how do the narrator and his sister Irene spend most of their days?

Knit and Cleaning

What is the narrative tone of the "House Taken Over" that contributes to the magical realism of the story?

MATTER OF FACT even when mysterious things are happening.

What happens to Madeline Usher in "The Fall of the House of Usher"? (from beginning to end)

Narrator meet her on the stair; she appears to die; she is mistakenly entombed; she gains freedom; she dies.

What is a defining element of Gothic literature in "The Fall of the House of Usher"?

R. Usher fears that unnatural forces control his home. He also lives in a gloomy family home that is isolated.

What happens in "House Taken Over" that demonstrates that it is a story of magical realism?

The Routine, Ordinary lives of the characters contrast with unreal freighting takeover of the house.

What can you infer about the brother and sister's economic status in "House Taken Over"?

The brother and sister economic status must be good since they live in a large spacious house. Also, farm people pay for their life.

In "House Taken Over," what do the narrator and his sister do when the back section of the house is taken over?

They shut the door and lock the passage. Also, they stay in their part of the house. Also, they move into another part of the house.

In "House Taken Over," how does the reader know that the narrator and his sister are nervous and afraid?

They stop thinking. They sleep fitfully.