Which word from the excerpt of…

English Questions

Which word from the excerpt of Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” could be used to argue that the narrator is unreliable?

Answer

The term unnerved in this excerpt can be utilized to argue for the narrator’s unreliability. The word implies that the narrator is easily startled or disturbed by the unfolding events, hinting at a possible lack of objectivity or stability in their perception. An unreliable narrator typically has diminished credibility due to unstable mental state, questionable actions, or contradictions. The simile as if a shield of brass had indeed, at that moment, fallen heavily upon a floor of silver accentuates the unusual and striking nature of the sound the narrator perceives. Their intense emotional reaction, described as becoming completely unnerved, suggests that such feelings might cloud their ability to provide an accurate recounting of occurrences. Given the story’s eerie context, this emotional turmoil indicates that their perspective could be swayed by fear or anxiety, casting doubt on the reliability of their narrative.

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