The Fall of the House of Usher
"The Fall of the House of Usher" is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe that explores themes of madness, decay, and family. The narrator visits his childhood friend, Roderick Usher, who lives in a gloomy mansion with his twin sister, Madeline. The house itself is described as eerie and deteriorating, reflecting the mental and physical decline of its inhabitants.
As the story unfolds, Madeline falls ill and eventually dies, or so it seems. Roderick becomes increasingly unstable, and the atmosphere grows more tense. In a shocking climax, it is revealed that Madeline was buried alive, leading to the ultimate collapse of both the house and the Usher family.