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By Constantin Lacramioara
Read the following text:
“Tell Tale Heart” Close Reading/Analysis
Focus Passage 1: Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded—with what caution— with what foresight—with what dissimulation I went to work! I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it— oh, so gently! And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, so that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly—very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man’s sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his bed. Ha! Would a madman have been so wise as this?
The narrator claims to have several qualities that insane people don’t have. Circle the qualities that he mentions. In your opinion, does having those qualities prove his sanity—or not? Explain.
Focus Passage 2 It was open—wide, wide open—and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness—all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones; but I could see nothing else of the old man’s face or person, for I had directed the ray, as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned spot. And now have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but overacuteness of the senses?—now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I knew that sound well too. It was the beating of the old man’s heart. It increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.
Underline three visual images, details that help you picture what is happening. Then, circle three sound images, details that help you hear what is happening.
The narrator claims to have several qualities that insane people don’t have. Circle the qualities that he mentions. In your opinion, does having those qualities prove his sanity—or not? Explain.
Focus Passage 2 It was open—wide, wide open—and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness—all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones; but I could see nothing else of the old man’s face or person, for I had directed the ray, as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned spot. And now have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but overacuteness of the senses?—now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I knew that sound well too. It was the beating of the old man’s heart. It increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.
Underline three visual images, details that help you picture what is happening. Then, circle three sound images, details that help you hear what is happening.
“Tell-Tale Heart” comprehension Questions
After reading “Tell-Tale Heart” by Poe, answer the following questions using complete sentences.
1. Who is telling this story (narrating)? Is it first, second, or third person?
2. What is your first impression of the narrator? What does he try convincing the reader of?
3. What is your first impression of the narrator? What does he try convincing the reader of?
4.What sound drives the narrator to confess to the crime? What do you think causes his paranoia?
After reading “Tell-Tale Heart” by Poe, answer the following questions using complete sentences.
1. Who is telling this story (narrating)? Is it first, second, or third person?
2. What is your first impression of the narrator? What does he try convincing the reader of?
3. What is your first impression of the narrator? What does he try convincing the reader of?
4.What sound drives the narrator to confess to the crime? What do you think causes his paranoia?
"The Tell-Tale Heart"- by Edgar Allan Poe
Listen to the story!
Listen to the story!
INFO BOX
‘‘The Tell-Tale Heart’’ was first published in 1843 in the Boston Pioneer, and revised into its current form for an 1845 edition of The Broadway Journal. Like ‘‘The Black Cat,’’ it is a murder story told by the acknowledged killer himself. Here, however, the narrator’s stated purpose is not confession but the desire to prove his ‘‘sanity.’’
The main themes in "The Tell-Tale Heart" are the madness and sanity, the pressure of guilt, and the passage of time.
In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," the narrator attempts to prove his own sanity in the wake of having murdered an old man.
The unreliable narrator explains that he loved the old man very much, but was disturbed by the old man's "evil eye," which he alleges drove him to murder.
The main themes in "The Tell-Tale Heart" are the madness and sanity, the pressure of guilt, and the passage of time.
In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," the narrator attempts to prove his own sanity in the wake of having murdered an old man.
The unreliable narrator explains that he loved the old man very much, but was disturbed by the old man's "evil eye," which he alleges drove him to murder.