The Tell-Tale Heart
Despite being a deeply troubled man, Edgar Allen Poe is still considered a trailblazer in the literary community for writing some of the best and earliest short stories. Most stories he wrote were horror stories, such as “The Tell Tale Heart.” “The Tell Tale Heart” is a story centered on a narrator who is a seemingly crazed man who kills a man for having an irregular eye. The narrator’s insanity that allows him to murder the man eventually leads him to confess to the police. Poe is renowned for his ability to effectively incorporate fear and dread in his stories. Fear and dread are created in Poe’s story through the use of well-crafted characters, calculated suspense, and effective writing style. One way Poe instills fear and dread in his
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story is through well-crafted characters. The narrator is one character that adds depth to the story. An example of how the narrator creates fear and dread is simply how he acts. While gawking at the old man, the narrator chuckles at the old man’s fear. Chuckling at a vulnerable person is an utterly repulsive response. Only a maniac would find hilarity in the given situation. Also, the narrator is overly precise in his actions. It takes the narrator literally hours just to open a door to gaze upon the old man. The dismembering of the body is also alarmingly methodical. Dismembering the body in such an orderly fashion is more repulsive than if it were unplanned and rash. The narrator’s composure shows he has a clear mind despite he has just murdered another man. An additional reason why the narrator adds fear and dread to the story is his consistent denial of being insane. In the beginning of the story, the narrator had already begun pleading his sanity:
True! -nervous-very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses-no destroyed-not dulled them. (Poe 303)
The narrator denies being possibly insane all throughout the story.
The more he attempts to persuade his sanity, the more the reader begins to doubt the genuineness of the repeated statements. It appears the narrator is clawing at any opportunity to convince the reader he is level headed. His determination worries the reader about his true mental status. A second character that develops fear and dread is the old man. The old man’s eye, which is described by the narrator as vulture like, is a noteworthy aspect of the story. The eye is supposedly the impetus the narrator has to kill the old man. The narrator even labels it the Evil Eye. The old man’s eye adds a tangible eeriness to the story. The unsuspecting nature of the old man’s death intensifies dread as well. The week before the old man’s murder, the narrator is especially kind to the man. The reader is aware of his inevitable demise at the early on in the story while the old man is oblivious to the narrator’s plot. Since one can predict his death, the eighth day has much anticipation. One cannot help but wonder how the man will die, which allows for fear and dread to muster. The old man’s anxiety on the eighth night is another aspect of the story that amplifies fear. When the narrator eventually opens the door to the old man’s bedroom and is glaring upon the man, the old man begins to feel anxiety: “Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror… His fears had been ever since growing upon him” (Poe 304). Being apprehensive is common for one to feel when one cannot see what is going on around them during the night. The apprehension is, generally, however just an irrational sensation. Most readers can relate to this sensation. In the old man’s circumstances, he is truly in a precarious situation. Knowing how the old man feels augments trepidation in the story. Edgar Allen Poe obviously did a fantastic job at creating characters that effectively add both fear and dread to the
story.
Another way Edgar Allen Poe creates fear and dread is through constant suspense. He builds suspense is through the using foreshadowing. The old man’s death is one way he uses foreshadowing. In the beginning of the story, the narrator indicates the old man will die: “I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever” (Poe 303). Having this premonition adds an interesting angle to the story. The reader knows the old man will die, but is still uncertain how, where, and why it will occur. As the story progresses, an active reader tries to predict how exactly the death will unfold. It is ironic that foreshadowing an event will occur is more suspenseful than having no foresight. An eventual complication of the narrator’s scheme is also an example foreshadowing. In the beginning of the story, the narrator immediately attempts to plea his sanity. It is reasonable to believe that since he is trying to convince the reader he is rational so early in the story that somehow killing the old man had unpleasant ramifications. Believing the narrator will likely have his plan thwarted again lets an active reader try to predict exactly how his plan will backfire. Not being completely certain of how the story will unfold makes one feel anxious. Foreshadowing is an impactful literary device that allows a reader to predict more effectively, thus making a story more exciting to read. In Poe’s story, it allows one’s mind to delve into the possible dark turns the story could take. Similarly to foreshadowing, pacing is also a literary tool Poe uses to develop suspense. The bedroom scene before the narrator opens the door displays a slower pace. Poe uses longer and more eloquent sentences. A slow pace allows tension to amass. A slower pace gives a reader adequate time to reflect on what they have been reading. In “The Tell Tale Heart,” it lets one reflect on how bizarre the story is. Unlike the bedroom scene, the scene with the narrator and the police is an example of much faster pacing. The narrator is initially calm when the police come, until he began hearing the dead man’s heart: “The noise steadily increased… I foamed- I raved- I swore” (Poe 306). Using both hyphens and shorter, choppier sentences accelerates the pace. A swifter pace allows action to be seamless and stimulates a reader. Repetition is a literary device that improves upon fast and slow paces alike. For example, when the narrator opens the door to the old man’s bedroom, he does it “steadily, steadily” (Poe 304). Repetition prolongs this moment, adding even more tension to an already tense moment. On the other hand, repetition can successfully accelerate an already quick pace. This is evident when the narrator describes the sound of the dead man’s heart beating “louder- louder- louder!” (Poe 306). In this instance, repetition compresses the already fast pace. Just as with a slow pace, repetition amplifies suspense during fast paced scenes. By using foreshadowing and pacing, Poe adds suspense to his stories. Suspense leads to a strengthened feeling of fear and dread.
Edgar Allen Poe’s writing style is an additional way he formulates fear and dread in his stories. Poe’s stories are usually written in first person. Using a first person point of view is a potent way to compose a character driven story. While one has a better understanding of a whole story written in third person, a first person viewpoint gives a reader a better grasp on an individual character. While both viewpoints can be used for any story, a first person viewpoint is generally better for writing horror stories. Horror stories hinge on a semi-oblivious reader. Choosing to write “The Tell Tale Heart” in first person enhances the story. One way how the first person viewpoint accentuates the story is how the reader views the narrator. By having the narrator tell the story, the reader can recognize his perspective. Since the narrator is most likely insane, his perspective is much more intriguing in comparison to any other potential perspective. When the narrator kills the old man and hides his remains, he acts as if he is a virtuoso: “I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye… could have detected any thing wrong” (Poe 305). The narrator’s perception of this situation is truly appalling. Another storyteller would have a relatively bland perspective in comparison. Only the narrator would interpret his killing as an eloquent masterpiece instead of a dreadful tragedy. Another way the perspective enriches the story is by having a lack of information on the old man. The reader has no definite idea about what kind of a person the old man is. The narrator just states the old man has never wronged him. However, the narrator cannot be trusted as a reliable source since he has displayed he is presumably insane. Being uncertain of the old man’s identity adds an unknown element to the story. Not being able to understand the old man’s perspective during the story increases anxiety. Along with the first person viewpoint, Poe uses imagery to improve his stories. Vivid description allows for a more engaging story. It helps ones mind visualize what is going on much easier. In horror stories, ambience is vital. With imagery, an author creates a more optimal atmosphere. When the narrator is opening the door to the old man’s bedroom door, vivid description is us-optimally: “So I opened it… until, at length, a single dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and full upon the vulture eye” (Poe 304). Poe’s description allows a reader to visualize this event with ease. The simile also adds to the eerie nature of the moment. To compare the creepiness of the light sneaking into the room with a creepy animal like a spider truly enhances the moment. An additional method how Poe uses imagery is how he described the old man’s eye: “One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture–a pale blue eye, with a film over it” (Poe 303). The way Poe describes the eye is easily distinguishable. The eye’s menacing appearance sends a chill down a reader spine. A reader can understand why the eye repulses the narrator. Both the point of view Poe uses and the vivid descriptions he illustrates adds fear and dread to the story. Edgar Allen Poe is clearly a master at creating a fearful and dreadful atmosphere through properly orchestrated characters, well planned pacing, and a supportive writing style. The vivid descriptions and figurative language Poe uses compliments the characters, which help set the fluctuating, pace of the story. The way Poe wrote his stories like “The Tell Tale Heart” set a precedent for both horror literature and even movies. Without his work, the horror genre today would be vastly different. Everyone should respect the truly great work Edgar Allen Poe has given to humanity.
story is through well-crafted characters. The narrator is one character that adds depth to the story. An example of how the narrator creates fear and dread is simply how he acts. While gawking at the old man, the narrator chuckles at the old man’s fear. Chuckling at a vulnerable person is an utterly repulsive response. Only a maniac would find hilarity in the given situation. Also, the narrator is overly precise in his actions. It takes the narrator literally hours just to open a door to gaze upon the old man. The dismembering of the body is also alarmingly methodical. Dismembering the body in such an orderly fashion is more repulsive than if it were unplanned and rash. The narrator’s composure shows he has a clear mind despite he has just murdered another man. An additional reason why the narrator adds fear and dread to the story is his consistent denial of being insane. In the beginning of the story, the narrator had already begun pleading his sanity:
True! -nervous-very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses-no destroyed-not dulled them. (Poe 303)
The narrator denies being possibly insane all throughout the story.
The more he attempts to persuade his sanity, the more the reader begins to doubt the genuineness of the repeated statements. It appears the narrator is clawing at any opportunity to convince the reader he is level headed. His determination worries the reader about his true mental status. A second character that develops fear and dread is the old man. The old man’s eye, which is described by the narrator as vulture like, is a noteworthy aspect of the story. The eye is supposedly the impetus the narrator has to kill the old man. The narrator even labels it the Evil Eye. The old man’s eye adds a tangible eeriness to the story. The unsuspecting nature of the old man’s death intensifies dread as well. The week before the old man’s murder, the narrator is especially kind to the man. The reader is aware of his inevitable demise at the early on in the story while the old man is oblivious to the narrator’s plot. Since one can predict his death, the eighth day has much anticipation. One cannot help but wonder how the man will die, which allows for fear and dread to muster. The old man’s anxiety on the eighth night is another aspect of the story that amplifies fear. When the narrator eventually opens the door to the old man’s bedroom and is glaring upon the man, the old man begins to feel anxiety: “Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror… His fears had been ever since growing upon him” (Poe 304). Being apprehensive is common for one to feel when one cannot see what is going on around them during the night. The apprehension is, generally, however just an irrational sensation. Most readers can relate to this sensation. In the old man’s circumstances, he is truly in a precarious situation. Knowing how the old man feels augments trepidation in the story. Edgar Allen Poe obviously did a fantastic job at creating characters that effectively add both fear and dread to the
story.
Another way Edgar Allen Poe creates fear and dread is through constant suspense. He builds suspense is through the using foreshadowing. The old man’s death is one way he uses foreshadowing. In the beginning of the story, the narrator indicates the old man will die: “I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever” (Poe 303). Having this premonition adds an interesting angle to the story. The reader knows the old man will die, but is still uncertain how, where, and why it will occur. As the story progresses, an active reader tries to predict how exactly the death will unfold. It is ironic that foreshadowing an event will occur is more suspenseful than having no foresight. An eventual complication of the narrator’s scheme is also an example foreshadowing. In the beginning of the story, the narrator immediately attempts to plea his sanity. It is reasonable to believe that since he is trying to convince the reader he is rational so early in the story that somehow killing the old man had unpleasant ramifications. Believing the narrator will likely have his plan thwarted again lets an active reader try to predict exactly how his plan will backfire. Not being completely certain of how the story will unfold makes one feel anxious. Foreshadowing is an impactful literary device that allows a reader to predict more effectively, thus making a story more exciting to read. In Poe’s story, it allows one’s mind to delve into the possible dark turns the story could take. Similarly to foreshadowing, pacing is also a literary tool Poe uses to develop suspense. The bedroom scene before the narrator opens the door displays a slower pace. Poe uses longer and more eloquent sentences. A slow pace allows tension to amass. A slower pace gives a reader adequate time to reflect on what they have been reading. In “The Tell Tale Heart,” it lets one reflect on how bizarre the story is. Unlike the bedroom scene, the scene with the narrator and the police is an example of much faster pacing. The narrator is initially calm when the police come, until he began hearing the dead man’s heart: “The noise steadily increased… I foamed- I raved- I swore” (Poe 306). Using both hyphens and shorter, choppier sentences accelerates the pace. A swifter pace allows action to be seamless and stimulates a reader. Repetition is a literary device that improves upon fast and slow paces alike. For example, when the narrator opens the door to the old man’s bedroom, he does it “steadily, steadily” (Poe 304). Repetition prolongs this moment, adding even more tension to an already tense moment. On the other hand, repetition can successfully accelerate an already quick pace. This is evident when the narrator describes the sound of the dead man’s heart beating “louder- louder- louder!” (Poe 306). In this instance, repetition compresses the already fast pace. Just as with a slow pace, repetition amplifies suspense during fast paced scenes. By using foreshadowing and pacing, Poe adds suspense to his stories. Suspense leads to a strengthened feeling of fear and dread.
Edgar Allen Poe’s writing style is an additional way he formulates fear and dread in his stories. Poe’s stories are usually written in first person. Using a first person point of view is a potent way to compose a character driven story. While one has a better understanding of a whole story written in third person, a first person viewpoint gives a reader a better grasp on an individual character. While both viewpoints can be used for any story, a first person viewpoint is generally better for writing horror stories. Horror stories hinge on a semi-oblivious reader. Choosing to write “The Tell Tale Heart” in first person enhances the story. One way how the first person viewpoint accentuates the story is how the reader views the narrator. By having the narrator tell the story, the reader can recognize his perspective. Since the narrator is most likely insane, his perspective is much more intriguing in comparison to any other potential perspective. When the narrator kills the old man and hides his remains, he acts as if he is a virtuoso: “I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye… could have detected any thing wrong” (Poe 305). The narrator’s perception of this situation is truly appalling. Another storyteller would have a relatively bland perspective in comparison. Only the narrator would interpret his killing as an eloquent masterpiece instead of a dreadful tragedy. Another way the perspective enriches the story is by having a lack of information on the old man. The reader has no definite idea about what kind of a person the old man is. The narrator just states the old man has never wronged him. However, the narrator cannot be trusted as a reliable source since he has displayed he is presumably insane. Being uncertain of the old man’s identity adds an unknown element to the story. Not being able to understand the old man’s perspective during the story increases anxiety. Along with the first person viewpoint, Poe uses imagery to improve his stories. Vivid description allows for a more engaging story. It helps ones mind visualize what is going on much easier. In horror stories, ambience is vital. With imagery, an author creates a more optimal atmosphere. When the narrator is opening the door to the old man’s bedroom door, vivid description is us-optimally: “So I opened it… until, at length, a single dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and full upon the vulture eye” (Poe 304). Poe’s description allows a reader to visualize this event with ease. The simile also adds to the eerie nature of the moment. To compare the creepiness of the light sneaking into the room with a creepy animal like a spider truly enhances the moment. An additional method how Poe uses imagery is how he described the old man’s eye: “One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture–a pale blue eye, with a film over it” (Poe 303). The way Poe describes the eye is easily distinguishable. The eye’s menacing appearance sends a chill down a reader spine. A reader can understand why the eye repulses the narrator. Both the point of view Poe uses and the vivid descriptions he illustrates adds fear and dread to the story. Edgar Allen Poe is clearly a master at creating a fearful and dreadful atmosphere through properly orchestrated characters, well planned pacing, and a supportive writing style. The vivid descriptions and figurative language Poe uses compliments the characters, which help set the fluctuating, pace of the story. The way Poe wrote his stories like “The Tell Tale Heart” set a precedent for both horror literature and even movies. Without his work, the horror genre today would be vastly different. Everyone should respect the truly great work Edgar Allen Poe has given to humanity.