Abstract:In Allan Poe’s short stories, horror is connected to a perfect aesthetic activity that enjoys the readers of unique aesthetics feelings. Poe’s most famous theory, Unity of Effect provides the instructive principles of his short story writing. Poe tries to establish a certain effect in advance, and then manage the materials such as words, setting, characters, beginning and ending. Through the deep consideration and well management, an effect of horror is reached in the stories. The Fall of the House of Usher is a typical representative that Poe’s Unity of Effect theory applies to. By analyzing the text of the story, this article discusses how the settings, plot, words and characters are managed to reach a certain effect, and what effect is established to contribute to the Unity of Effect theory, so as to find the revelations the theory gives us to instruct the writing of fictions.

Key words: Unity of Effect; horror; setting; character; plot

Ⅰ.Introduction

A. Allan Poe and The Fall of the House of Usher

B. Poe’s Theory of Unity of Effect

Ⅱ. Horror Atmosphere Creating

A. A beginning –Foundation of Tone 

B. Description of the House of Usher

C. Description in the Ending

Ⅲ. Well Managed Plot

A. Suspense and Intimation

B. The Function of Verses and a Story

C. An Unexpected Ending

Ⅳ. Grotesque Characters

A. “I” —a Normal Man

B. Roderick Usher—a Morbid Man

C. Lady Madeline—a Beyond Cure Woman

Ⅴ.Conclusion