List Gothic elements evident in “The Fall of the House of Usher.” How do the Gothic elements impact the story’s tone and mood? What other stories contain similar elements? Which of those stories would you consider to be genuinely Gothic stories?

Teaching Suggestion: If students have already read one of the companion texts, they might compare and contrast. This could include classroom brainstorming and/or creation of a chart similar to the one suggested in the Personal Connection Prompt but focused on Gothic fiction.

Differentiation Suggestion: Advanced learners or those interested in visual media or filmmaking might wish to create a visual presentation using storyboards or video, illustrating the elements of the Gothic story that appear in “The Fall of the House of Usher.”