What Is The Similes In The Tell Tale Heart
Seeking Intensity
Who hasn’t at one time been entertained by the details of a good thriller? Edgar Allen Poe, is an ideal example of one who has authored a number of intense short stories.
Poe’s “Tell Tale Heart” is a gripping story that will keep the reader on the edge of his/her seat. He is able to create this intense effect in the way he strategically uses the elements needed for a short story. In this particular short story the author’s use of diction, setting, and a narrators point of view are what help give this story its intensity.
Diction is the choice or use of words. It plays a major role in making this story so intense. All through out the Tell Tale Heart Poe used metaphors and similes which really help a reader to visualize what is being read. A good example of a simile from this short story was quite easy to find. Close attention to the wording in this quote describe how well the reader can imagine the exact scene Poe has created. “When I had waited a long time, very patiently, without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open -a very, very little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it- you cannot imagine how stealthily- until, at length, a single dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and full upon the vulture eye.” …show more content…
The setting is what in most cases sets the atmosphere or in other words the mood of a story.
“The Tell Tale Heart” takes place in an old creaky house with wood planks for its flooring. Most of this tale takes place at night, with its most intense moments right
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midnight. A person might even be able to guess this is a bit of a spooky read by merely being told these few details about the setting. That being stated, it is easy to see how time and place can influence a story.
The element that makes this story so very unique is its narrator point of you. It seems as though the narrator is speaking to the reader. He often states to the reader that though he may sound it, he is not a crazy or insane person. One can see however that he most defiantly is not right in the head. This creates an intense effect, for the reader has no idea what this psycho is about to confess to! No one knows what is going on in the mind of a person like this, but in this read, one is given some insight into the crazy mind of a killer!
There are many elements to a short story and are numerous ways to use them to create intensity or suspense. One must merely practice and think creatively. Only a few of the elements to a short story have been discussed here, different elements will be needed depending on ones story. When it comes to writing, the sky is the limit for there are so many diverse people in the world, all with their own ways of writing. How wonderful to have such talented authors to write so may beautiful stories for the world to enjoy!
Works Cited
Schlib, John and Clifford, eds. Making Literature Matter. 3rd edition, Bedford-St. Martin, 2006.
Poe, Edgar. “The Tall Tale Heart.”making Literature Matter.3rd edition, Bedford St Martin.2006.
Who hasn’t at one time been entertained by the details of a good thriller? Edgar Allen Poe, is an ideal example of one who has authored a number of intense short stories.
Poe’s “Tell Tale Heart” is a gripping story that will keep the reader on the edge of his/her seat. He is able to create this intense effect in the way he strategically uses the elements needed for a short story. In this particular short story the author’s use of diction, setting, and a narrators point of view are what help give this story its intensity.
Diction is the choice or use of words. It plays a major role in making this story so intense. All through out the Tell Tale Heart Poe used metaphors and similes which really help a reader to visualize what is being read. A good example of a simile from this short story was quite easy to find. Close attention to the wording in this quote describe how well the reader can imagine the exact scene Poe has created. “When I had waited a long time, very patiently, without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open -a very, very little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it- you cannot imagine how stealthily- until, at length, a single dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and full upon the vulture eye.” …show more content…
The setting is what in most cases sets the atmosphere or in other words the mood of a story.
“The Tell Tale Heart” takes place in an old creaky house with wood planks for its flooring. Most of this tale takes place at night, with its most intense moments right
at
midnight. A person might even be able to guess this is a bit of a spooky read by merely being told these few details about the setting. That being stated, it is easy to see how time and place can influence a story.
The element that makes this story so very unique is its narrator point of you. It seems as though the narrator is speaking to the reader. He often states to the reader that though he may sound it, he is not a crazy or insane person. One can see however that he most defiantly is not right in the head. This creates an intense effect, for the reader has no idea what this psycho is about to confess to! No one knows what is going on in the mind of a person like this, but in this read, one is given some insight into the crazy mind of a killer!
There are many elements to a short story and are numerous ways to use them to create intensity or suspense. One must merely practice and think creatively. Only a few of the elements to a short story have been discussed here, different elements will be needed depending on ones story. When it comes to writing, the sky is the limit for there are so many diverse people in the world, all with their own ways of writing. How wonderful to have such talented authors to write so may beautiful stories for the world to enjoy!
Works Cited
Schlib, John and Clifford, eds. Making Literature Matter. 3rd edition, Bedford-St. Martin, 2006.
Poe, Edgar. “The Tall Tale Heart.”making Literature Matter.3rd edition, Bedford St Martin.2006.