Rise of the House of Usher

He always talks to me like this. Like I am some mouse he is forced to deal with and boss around. If only he respected me. We’re the last two living Usher’s but it’s like I’m not even alive. People throughout the town gossip that our entire family tree is “pure” and that we only ever have children within the family. I do not wish to continue this pattern and Roderick knows my wishes but desires to continue as our family always has. He has grown to strike me lately when I deny him. I read stories written by other women around me, women like Sarah Grimke, Harriet Martineau, and Margaret Fuller, and wish I had those same opportunities. Instead I just wander the halls, read to satiate the ever-growing tedium of being stuck here, and avoid my twin. The only break I get in the monotony is when Roderick has guests. And of course he invites them without telling me. 

As I sit in my room writing this, I see such a visitor riding up the hill to visit us. He seems somewhat frightened and yet enamored by the house and the grounds, he’s just sitting still and looking around at everything. I hope he’s alright. It looks like he’s contemplating some deep, protruding thought. As I sit here creating stories in my mind - both to absolve my boredom and attempt to explain the strange visitor's behavior - he finally makes one last glance over the house and rides his horse up to the front and out of view. 

Later in the evening, I realize he’s been sitting in the study with Roderick for quite some time and decide to nonchalantly walk by just to remind them of my presence. Roderick would get upset with me if he knew I was doing this, so I don’t dare to interrupt or attempt to converse with either of them.

I can feel the visitor’s eyes on me as I float by soundlessly and into my bedchamber, softly closing the large doors behind me. Now I must occupy my evening alone in my room, unable to hear the visitor or Roderick. Perhaps I shall lay down to pass the time.

The next thing I know, movement and noise wakes me from my slumber. Only I am no longer in my bedchamber, I am completely shrouded in darkness. Confusion blinds me further until I hear Roderick speaking softly, and his visitor awkwardly reacting. They are having these reactions towards me. What sort of contraption am I in? They’ve put me in a box! A coffin actually! As I regain lucidity and come to recognize the situation for what it is, a memory comes to the surface.

“If you continue to fight your birthright then I will have no use for you,” Roderick exclaims.

“What does that mean? What are you going to do to me?” My fright towards him grows by the day, and I dread his response.

“No one would miss you, you don’t even interact with anyone. This is your one duty as an Usher woman. You will regret what will happen if you don’t act as you are told. Do I need to remind you of what happened to the previous Usher ladies?” His sinister smile scared me as much as his words did, and the only thing I could do was tremble and recoil from his touch, hoping something would take his attention away from me.

He actually did what he warned me he would. This must be why he invited his visitor over. He wanted someone to be here so that there is a witness to my supposed death and people will not suspect him of anything. His visitor must truly believe I am dead. Thinking of a plan takes time, as will breaking out of this coffin. 

By the time I made all of these connections and remembered his evil plan, they were long gone and I was truly alone in this madness.

As I pushed and pushed and screamed my heart out, one thing became clear: no one was coming to save me. I have to save myself. So I started scratching. There is no other way to escape this prison. I have to dig myself out.

My system the next few days consisted of clawing for as long as I can, then taking breaks to rest and sleep, and then more clawing. I have become more tired faster with each coming day as my energy fades from a lack of nourishment. But I have made much progress, as shown by the hole nearly all the way through the coffin. As soon as I can see through the wood, I can try to break the rest down and make my escape.

With each scratch and each hour that passes, all I imagine in my mind is how I will take my revenge. I have sat meekly by my brother's side and even hidden behind him all my life. And he views my refusal to commit such a heinous act as a betrayal, thus betraying me in return. There must be retribution. And I will be the deliverer.

Finally! I see light! There is a hole just small enough for my finger to fit through it but I should be able to start snapping pieces off. Splinters cover my fingers and blood drips down my wrist but I manage to get my full hand through the hole. Then both hands. Then I have enough leverage to fully break free. My lovely white dress has become covered in blood but I do not care, I have one goal in mind and I will succeed at any cost.

After I push my way out of the coffin, I realize I am in the catacombs beneath the house. Now I must find my way up to the living areas. When I was a child, Roderick would lock me down here when I ignored him or did not do what he wished. Now, I am glad he did so because I will be able to find my way quicker. 

Searching for the entrance took but a minute, my determination seemingly fueled my escape and made it quicker and easier. So I slinked up the stairs, grinning the whole time with the satisfaction of finally exacting my revenge after all of these years. I realized both Roderick and his visitor were in the visitor’s chambers, so I slowly moved in that direction. Their low moans told me they could hear me coming for them. So I slowed down just a touch more, relishing in their fear.

I got to the door they resided in and could hear my brother shrieking, sensing his impending doom. His chants and shouts encouraged me and I at once burst through the door. Seeing his trembling and appalling form across the threshold, I too shrieked and reaching my hands out, brought him his doom. The visitor rushed out at once, not stopping until he left the house, and I finished my task quickly and satisfactorily. I knew at this point that I had succeeded in my life goal and accomplished the one thing no other Usher woman before me could. The House of Usher ends with me.