Question

independent practice
read the excerpt from \the fall of the house of usher\ by edgar allan poe.
he suffered much from a morbid acuteness of the senses; the most insipid food was alone endurable; he could wear only garments of certain texture; the odors of all flowers were oppressive; his eyes were tortured by even a faint light and there were but peculiar sounds, and these from stringed instruments, which did not inspire him with horror.
what does this description of usher suggest?
a. that he longs for sunshine and the comfort it brings
b. that he has lost the ability to smell good food
c. that only music can comfort the longing he feels
d. that he cannot tolerate sensory experiences

Explanation:

The excerpt details that Usher is distressed by nearly all sensory inputs: only the most bland food is bearable, flower odors are oppressive, faint light tortures his eyes, and most stringed instrument sounds horrify him. This shows he cannot tolerate typical sensory experiences, eliminating the other incorrect options (A is unsupported, B is wrong as he can smell but finds odors oppressive, C is wrong as stringed instruments horrify him rather than comfort).

Answer:

D. that he cannot tolerate sensory experiences