The purpose of this research is to discuss the formalistic approach to Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher (FHU). The object of formalistic criticism is to discover and explain the form of Poe’s short story from an examination of the text. The text will be used to discover the shape and effect of the story, as well as to discuss how they are achieved.

… the underlying rationale to the formalistic approach is discussed. The background of formalistic theory can be found in classical art and aesthetics which showed a preoccupation with form. The theory of unity of Aristotle’s Poetics has particular application FHU.

Poe’s theories of art an extension of Coleridge’s theory that parts mutually support and explain each other; all in their …