Guilt In The Tell-Tale Heart By Edgar Allen Poe
“The Tell-Tale Heart” is a short story by Edgar Allen Poe. In it, the narrator explains his story to his audience. He explains how and why he decides to take the life of an old man who troubled him. During the story, the narrator expresses many emotions, especially guilt. Poe develops the central idea of guilt through his use of punctuation. In paragraph 17, Poe’s use of punctuation shows the development of guilt. After inviting the police officers into his house, he starts hearing a clicking sound that resembles a heartbeat- this is his own heart. This causes him to start speaking in an awkward manner, saying things like “Almighty God! - No, no! They heard! – They suspected! – They knew!” (Poe). The heartbeat is causing the narrator’s guilt
to escalate, causing him to speak faster and louder. The hyphens showing his increase in speed while the exclamation points showing his increase in volume. Through the use of hyphens and exclamation points, Poe shows the effect of increasing guilt in the narrator. In conclusion, Poe skillfully uses punctuation to develop the central idea of guilt in the narrator. The use of hyphens shows how the narrator increased his volume which reveals his true feelings. This is also true when Poe uses exclamation points in the story. In the story Poe has used his unique style of using punctuation to develop the central idea.
to escalate, causing him to speak faster and louder. The hyphens showing his increase in speed while the exclamation points showing his increase in volume. Through the use of hyphens and exclamation points, Poe shows the effect of increasing guilt in the narrator. In conclusion, Poe skillfully uses punctuation to develop the central idea of guilt in the narrator. The use of hyphens shows how the narrator increased his volume which reveals his true feelings. This is also true when Poe uses exclamation points in the story. In the story Poe has used his unique style of using punctuation to develop the central idea.