"The House of Usher" is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe that explores themes of madness, decay, and family. The narrative follows an unnamed narrator who visits his childhood friend, Roderick Usher, in his eerie ancestral home. The house itself is described as gloomy and decaying, reflecting the mental state of its inhabitants. As the story unfolds, Roderick reveals his deep-seated fears and the mysterious illness affecting him and his twin sister, Madeline. The tale culminates in a series of supernatural events that lead to a tragic conclusion, emphasizing the connection between the characters and their haunted lineage.