The House Itself:
* Architectural decay: The crumbling mansion with its "bare, gray walls" and "long, sharp gables" mirrors the physical and mental deterioration of the Usher family. Its decrepitude is a visual representation of their decline and foreshadows the ultimate collapse of the house and the family.
* Gothic aesthetic: The house is described as "gloomy," "ancient," and "dreary," reflecting the dark and morbid atmosphere of the story. These elements create a sense of foreboding and contribute to the overall feeling of unease.
The Paintings:
* "The Haunted Palace": This painting depicts the decline of a magnificent palace, symbolizing the gradual decay of the Usher family and their lineage. The poem within the painting parallels Roderick Usher's mental descent into madness.
* "The Descent into the Maelström": This painting, reflecting Roderick's fear of the engulfing void, foreshadows the ultimate fate of the Usher family and the house itself. The whirlpool symbolizes the destructive forces that are pulling them down.
* The Family Portraits: These portraits, described as "hideous" and "grotesque," depict the Usher family throughout their history, highlighting their lineage's descent into madness and decay. They symbolize the family's shared fate and the inevitability of their demise.
The Music:
* Roderick's melodies: The music composed by Roderick Usher is described as "melancholy," "unnatural," and "weird," mirroring his own mental state and the oppressive atmosphere of the house. His music serves as a reflection of his internal turmoil and foreshadows the tragedy to come.
The Overall Effect:
By incorporating these works of art, Poe creates a powerful and evocative narrative that seamlessly blends the physical and the psychological. The decaying house, the eerie paintings, and the haunting music all contribute to the overall atmosphere of dread and foreboding, mirroring the events of the story and enhancing its impact on the reader.
The works of art are not merely decorative elements; they are crucial components of the narrative that serve to amplify the story's themes of decay, madness, and inevitable doom. They reflect the story's events through their symbolic meaning, their eerie atmosphere, and their connection to the characters' psychological states.