The Tell-Tale Heart Safe

When a person believes they are safe, they are just trying to hide the truth, which is that no one is ever safe. People believe they are safe when they are very comfortable, but in fact, this is when they are easy prey to catch. Being comfortable and sleeping well are results of feeling safe. The many who believe they actually are safe are mistaken because this is when they are the most vulnerable. In the story “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe, the narrator appears determined and insane as he watches the old man sleep for eight consecutive nights trying to accomplish his mission. The narrator’s mission is to separate the old man’s “vulture eye” from his body so he is not frightened when he looks at the old man. The narrator feels it his his turn to prey on the
The narrator goes into the old man’s bedroom every night for eight days to watch as he sleeps where he is defenseless and vulnerable, causing him to feel more powerful. “Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers… there I was, opening the door, little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts.” (Pg.1) The old man was unaware of how the narrator was trying to harm him and because of this, the narrator felt he was capable of doing many things, increasing his power. Relaxation is disturbed when fear is brought about to one’s senses. While the narrator is watching the old man sleep, he accidentally awakes him leaving the old man with terror. The old man finds his attempts to comfort himself back to sleep unsuccessful and no longer feels safe in the room where many do, the bedroom. “Yes, he had been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions: but he had found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in approaching him had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim.” (Pg.2) As the old man fails to fall back asleep he is left with a feeling of terror that is trying to rip out his