The question of the narrator’s sanity in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” is a complex one. Throughout the story, the narrator describes eerie events and displays increasing paranoia and distress as he visits his friend Roderick Usher. However, if we analyze the narrative closely, it becomes clear that the narrator’s experiences stem from the oppressive atmosphere of the Usher estate, as well as Roderick’s own unstable mental state.
Roderick is depicted as deeply affected by the family curse and the gloomy environment, which could contribute to his perception of reality. When he calls the narrator a madman, it serves as a reflection of his own deteriorating mental condition rather than an accurate assessment of the narrator’s sanity. The effects of isolation, fear, and the supernatural elements surrounding them blur the lines of what is considered sane or insane.
Ultimately, the narrator’s perspective may be influenced by the gothic elements present in the house and Roderick’s increasingly irrational behavior. Therefore, while the narrator experiences intense emotions and fear, labeling him as mad overlooks the profound impact of his situation. In essence, the narrator’s credibility may be called into question, but his madness is not as certain as Roderick suggests.