COVE

The image depicts the ghost of a flea, delving into the realm of the supernatural, and presenting that ghosts exist in the physical world as well. This image is painted by William Blake, a famous American author and artist. This painting corresponds to the theme of the macabre because it causes people to feel suspense and fear, and causes an eerie feeling. A story that this can relate to is from Edgar Allan Poe called, The Fall of the House of Usher. Within the story, it is stated, "I looked upon the scene before me—upon the mere house, and the simple landscape features of the domain—upon the bleak walls—upon the vacant eye-like windows..." This quote initially describes the House of Usher and sets a supernatural presence throughout the story. Later in the story, it says, "And the deep and dank tarn at my feet closed sullenly and silently over the fragments of the 'House of Usher." This final line states that the House of Usher may have an ominous fate upcoming, with supernatural entities surrounding this fate. This image from William Blake as well as the story from Edgar Allan Poe represents the theme of the macabre due to the suspense, eerie feelings/tones, and supernatural themes within both the image and the story.

Works Cited

Brooks, Katherine. “Famous Paintings That Will the Scare the S**t out of You This Halloween.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 19 Oct. 2015, www.huffpost.com/entry/scary-paintings-from-art-history_n_56216369e4b0bc.... Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Cove Studio :: Sign In, studio.covecollective.org/anthologies/eng-235-survey-of-american-literature-sp24/documents/the-fall-of-the-house-of-usher-b0347a1e-623b-4a05-8b42-e38f8df77d42. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.