Based on Aristotle's definition, an argument can be made that this story is a tragedy.
1.Tragedy depicts the downfall of a noble hero. Usher was once a great family as the now decayed mansion attests.
2.The tragic hero is often subjected to the will of fate. Roderick and his sister are the only surviving Ushers as the family bloodline has become too thin. Because of the genetic degenration of the family, Madeline suffers from catalepsy and Roderick has a "nervous affliction" which effects oversensitivity, especially to sounds. As they are debilitated, the Ushers are fated to remain in their home under the care of a physician.
3. He/She makes a tragic mistake because of a personal fraility, a flaw in reason or in nature. A victim of his nervous affliction and overwrought nature, Roderick is tortured by noises; the stress upon his mind causes him to have "an inconsistency" in behavior. With "trepidation" the "hypochondriac" is tortured by the fear of loss of his sister who has been pronounced dead. In reality she has had a seizure and is not really deceased.
4.The tragic hero achieves some revelation or recognition about human fate or destiny. This is a "change from ignorance to awareness of a bond of love or hate." Not allowing an autopsy for her leaves Madeline able to rise and embrace Roderick in a death grip as one; a consequence he has not recognized.
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