Dreadfully chilling, "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe is a horrific short story that introduces the reader to an utterly mad narrator who is driven to commit vile and heinous acts because of his unnatural obsession with his roommate's, an old man, cataract eye. The narrator's madness is revealed instantly, only to be substantiated when he devises a sinister plan to rid himself of the "vulture eye" forever. After seven nights of watching his prey sleep, the narrator strikes and coldheartedly murders the old man. A shriek calls the attention of a neighbor, who contacts the local authorities. The narrator, who is so overwhelmed with his own hubris, cheerily invites the three officers in to investigate, and even chat afterwards. However, the narrator's own guilt grows to such a point that his heart begins beating louder and louder, all the while convinced the heartbeat he hears belongs to his victim. Even though it's impossible, the narrator believes the police can hear the heartbeat, provoking him to confess to the violent crime. As if these dilemmas weren't disconcerting enough, Poe creates even more terror in "The Tell-Tale Heart" through his adept use of similes, metaphors, and irony.…