"The Fall of the House of Usher"

Usher tells the Narrator of his illness, a "nervous affection" which has resulted in a few bizarre symptoms. For one, Usher's senses seem now incredibly acute. He cannot bear most food. He can only wear certain types of fabric. The smell of flowers makes him sick. His eyes cannot stand light. And almost all sounds save those of certain stringed instruments--like the guitar he sometimes plays--"inspire him with horror." All in all, the man seems overwhelmed by his malady, obsessed with the idea of fear. He calls the source of his fear a "grim phantasm."