After rereading the story, the audience is able to understand that there is an obsession or desire for companionship. The brothers have lived alone for many years and it is not surprising that they feel alone in that big house. They began to rely on each other for companionship. Their need for companionship becomes so strong that they feel incomplete without each other by their side. This becomes a problem when Madeline “dies.” Instead of giving up and dying, Madeline tortures herself for eight days to escape and hug her brother once again. Roderick feels he needs his sister to continue living. Without her he goes crazy and eventually dies with his sister just so they can be together. Their need to be together leads to their