A Tell-Tale Heart analysis
The tell-tale heart (1846)
Edgar Allan Poe
Intro:
Definition of a ‘tell-tale’ = a gossip/er who tells things about others to get them into trouble
Summary
‘A tell-tale heart’ (1843) by Edgar Allan Poe is told through a homodiegetic narrator, who is most likely the old man’s butler. He tries to convince himself and the reader that, although he confesses to have killed the old man with the pale, blue eye, he is not mad.
Possible reasons for not giving details of the murder itself:
1. Narrative techniques on Poe’s part – open spaces: leaves the details up to the reader’s own imagination/fears
2. The murder and the old man isn’t really important to the narrator – it’s his ego that matters (how clever he is) + ensuring the interlocutor that he isn’t mad
3. That it’s all in his mind – the murder didn’t take place
Questions for the text
1. Who are the characters of this story? Do we get to know anything about their names, their jobs or any other of the things we normally use for a basic characterization
The narrator (most likely a man)
Younger than the old man, works for the old man – might be a butler (goes to the old man’s room every morning)
Describes himself as sick (p. 20, ll. 2-3)
“you” – an unspecified interlocutor – the reader? – or himself?
An old man
Without family living with him, probably well-off since he owns a big house
The police officers
The neighbors (who hears the screaming and calls the police, does not participate)
2. Where does it take place? HOW much are we told about the setting?
In the old man’s house – in the bedroom. Once the police officers come they go down stairs.
No specific place name makes the story universal
No detailed descriptions of interior
3. When does it take place? Are we given any indications of time?
Before the murder: 8 days (p. 21, l. 10)
The night of the murder around midnight (the lanterns) at least until around 4 am when the police officers arrive
No specific
Edgar Allan Poe
Intro:
Definition of a ‘tell-tale’ = a gossip/er who tells things about others to get them into trouble
Summary
‘A tell-tale heart’ (1843) by Edgar Allan Poe is told through a homodiegetic narrator, who is most likely the old man’s butler. He tries to convince himself and the reader that, although he confesses to have killed the old man with the pale, blue eye, he is not mad.
Possible reasons for not giving details of the murder itself:
1. Narrative techniques on Poe’s part – open spaces: leaves the details up to the reader’s own imagination/fears
2. The murder and the old man isn’t really important to the narrator – it’s his ego that matters (how clever he is) + ensuring the interlocutor that he isn’t mad
3. That it’s all in his mind – the murder didn’t take place
Questions for the text
1. Who are the characters of this story? Do we get to know anything about their names, their jobs or any other of the things we normally use for a basic characterization
The narrator (most likely a man)
Younger than the old man, works for the old man – might be a butler (goes to the old man’s room every morning)
Describes himself as sick (p. 20, ll. 2-3)
“you” – an unspecified interlocutor – the reader? – or himself?
An old man
Without family living with him, probably well-off since he owns a big house
The police officers
The neighbors (who hears the screaming and calls the police, does not participate)
2. Where does it take place? HOW much are we told about the setting?
In the old man’s house – in the bedroom. Once the police officers come they go down stairs.
No specific place name makes the story universal
No detailed descriptions of interior
3. When does it take place? Are we given any indications of time?
Before the murder: 8 days (p. 21, l. 10)
The night of the murder around midnight (the lanterns) at least until around 4 am when the police officers arrive
No specific