Forms of Artistic Expression Shared by Usher and the Narrator

Roderick Usher and the narrator in "The Fall of the House of Usher" share several forms of artistic expression:

• Painting: Both Usher and the narrator engage in painting together. Usher's paintings are noted for their abstract, gloomy, and emotionally charged nature, which deeply affects the narrator

• Music: They share a love for music, particularly the guitar and other stringed instruments. Usher plays music that is unique and haunting, and the narrator listens, often entranced by the wild beauty of Usher's performances

• Literature: The two also read together, sharing a passion for literature. This includes reading poetry and old books, as well as discussing the themes and emotions evoked by these works

"We painted and read together; or listened, as if in a dream, to the wild music he played. The paintings which he made made me tremble, though I know not why. To tell of them is beyond the power of written words. If ever a man painted an idea, that man was Roderick Usher."

Summary Table

Artistic Expression| Shared Activity
---|---
Painting| Painted together
Music| Played/listened to music
Literature| Read and discussed literature

These shared artistic pursuits serve as a means for both characters to connect and reflect the story’s overarching themes of melancholy, creativity, and the blurred line between art and life