After rereading the story, the audience is able to understand that there is an obsession or desire for companionship. The siblings have lived alone for many years and, unsurprisingly, feel lonely in this big house. They began to rely on each other for company. Their need for companionship becomes so strong that they feel incomplete without the 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 kiss her brother again. Roderick feels he needs his sister to continue living. Without her, he goes crazy and ends up dying with his sister just so they can be together. Their need to be together leads to their