* The Narrator: An unnamed friend of Roderick Usher, he visits the Usher mansion and becomes increasingly entangled in the strange and disturbing events unfolding within.
* Roderick Usher: A sickly and sensitive man, he suffers from a debilitating mental and physical decline, and he is tormented by his own morbid fears and the darkness that surrounds him.
* Madeline Usher: Roderick's twin sister, she suffers from a mysterious illness that ultimately leads to her apparent death and subsequent burial. The story revolves around the morbid relationship between Roderick and Madeline.
Other notable characters include:
* The Servant: An unnamed character who represents the oppressive and dark atmosphere of the Usher mansion.
The story primarily focuses on the psychological descent of Roderick Usher and the eerie atmosphere of the house itself, which serves as a symbol for Usher's decaying mental state.