Explore the theme of the isolated figure in two extracts from The Big Sleep and a story by Poe. Extracts: The Big Sleep, Chapter 6 and The Fall of the House of Usher

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Explore the theme of the isolated figure in two extracts from The Big Sleep and a story by Poe.

Extracts: The Big Sleep, Chapter 6 and The Fall of the House of Usher pages 80-83

Both extracts by Chandler and Poe have a theme of the solitary figure as they both constantly relate to the loneliness of characters. Poe’s characters in particular are dominated by emotion; his stories are often about strange events which affect the reader in a way which he wouldn’t experience in everyday real life. Poe likes to make his readers feel rather than think therefore his stories always have lots of emotions and feelings. On the other hand Chandler’s novel which also had a theme of loneliness is a lot more logical than emotive. However it is also to be considered that both novels were written during different periods of time so Chandler’s novel is obviously going to be more modern than Poe’s novel.

In the first sentence of the Poe extract the name of the main character appears ‘Usher’. Usher today is often recognised as someone who is hired to introduce and escort people. But interestingly Usher in archaic terms meant an under teacher or assistant master in a school. This shows characterisation of how Roderick Usher has importance within the House of Usher. Also Chandler’s work is characterised by a much more consistent lightness of tone, combining sentimentality and romanticism. Though Marlowe is significantly less in control than the figure of a classic detective he constantly provides the reassurance of a stable and honest perspective.

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Usher according to the unknown narrator on page 81, line 30 has a strange solitary life:

‘He suffered much from a morbid acuteness of the senses; the most insipid food was alone endurable; he could wear only garments of certain texture; the odours of all flowers were oppressive…’

This strange description of Usher tells us how he is living a lifeless life; in fact he is breathing physically but isn’t really living. He doesn’t make use of any of his senses, he is described almost as a drug addict, as though he has no control over his life or ...

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