Question

Read the excerpt from Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher."

I dared not -- oh, pity me, miserable wretch that I am! -- I dared not -- I dared not speak! We have put her living in the tomb! Said I not that my senses were acute? I now tell you that I heard her first feeble movements in the hollow coffin. I heard them -- many, many days ago -- yet I dare not -- I dared not speak!
What is the effect of parallelism in this excerpt?
It emphasizes Usher’s physical illness.
It emphasizes Usher’s sense of terror.
It emphasizes Usher’s uncooperative attitude.
It emphasizes Usher’s melancholy nature.

Answer 1

It emphasizes Usher’s sense of terror.

The repeated phrases and staccato interruptions create a frantic, panicked rhythm that conveys his fear and overwhelming horror at what he believes he heard.