The Tell-Tale HeartThe Tell-Tale HeartE. A. PoeE. A. Poe

18431843

Title AnalysisTitle Analysis

Tell-tale – (adjective) Revealing, Tell-tale – (adjective) Revealing, indicating, or betraying somethingindicating, or betraying something

““The tell-tale blush on her face…”The tell-tale blush on her face…”

What will the “heart” reveal? Who will What will the “heart” reveal? Who will it reveal it to? it reveal it to?

True! Nervous – very, very nervous I had True! Nervous – very, very nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses -- not destroyed –not dulled them.senses -- not destroyed –not dulled them.

Above all was the sense of hearing acute. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! And observe then, am I mad? Hearken! And observe how healthily – how calmly I can tell you how healthily – how calmly I can tell you the whole story. the whole story.

Thoughts on the Thoughts on the narrator…narrator…

What is the narrator attempting to What is the narrator attempting to persuade us of? persuade us of?

Do you believe him? Why or why not? Do you believe him? Why or why not?

Why do you think he is trying to Why do you think he is trying to persuade us of this?persuade us of this?

What perspective is this story being told What perspective is this story being told from?from?

It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night. Object there was none. Passion there was night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had never wronged none. I loved the old man. He had never wronged me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire. I think it was his eye! Yes, it was had no desire. I think it was his eye! Yes, it was this! He had the eye of a bird, a vulture – a pale this! He had the eye of a bird, a vulture – a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees – very me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees – very gradually – I made up my mind to take the life of gradually – I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.

Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You know nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded – with should have seen how wisely I proceeded – with what caution – with what foresight – with what what caution – with what foresight – with what dissimulation I went to work!dissimulation I went to work!

I was never kinder to the old man than during I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him. And every the whole week before I killed him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it – oh, so gently! And then, door and opened it – oh, so gently! And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. I moved it slowly – very, very slowly, so head. I moved it slowly – very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man’s sleep. It that I might not disturb the old man’s sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his bed. Ha! Would a madman have lay upon his bed. Ha! Would a madman have been so wise as this. And then, when my head been so wise as this. And then, when my head was well in the room, I undid the lantern was well in the room, I undid the lantern cautiously-oh, so cautiously (for the hinges cautiously-oh, so cautiously (for the hinges creaked) –I undid it just so much that a single creaked) –I undid it just so much that a single thin ray of light fell upon the vulture eye. thin ray of light fell upon the vulture eye.

And this I did for seven long nights – every night And this I did for seven long nights – every night just at midnight -- but I found the eye always just at midnight -- but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he has in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he has passed the night. So you see he would have passed the night. So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept. in upon him while he slept.

On the eighth night, I was more than usually On the eighth night, I was more than usually careful in opening the door. A watch’s minute careful in opening the door. A watch’s minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers –of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain powers –of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was, my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was, opening the door, little by little, and he had not opening the door, little by little, and he had not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I fairly chuckled at the idea; and perhaps he heard fairly chuckled at the idea; and perhaps he heard me; for he moved on the bed suddenly, as if me; for he moved on the bed suddenly, as if startled. Now you may think that I drew back –but startled. Now you may think that I drew back –but no. His room was black as pitch with the thick no. His room was black as pitch with the thick darkness, (for the shutters were close fastened, darkness, (for the shutters were close fastened, through fear of robbers) and so I knew that he through fear of robbers) and so I knew that he could not see the opening of the door, and I kept could not see the opening of the door, and I kept pushing it on steadily, steadily. pushing it on steadily, steadily.

I had my head in and was about to open the I had my head in and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin fastening, and the old man sprang up in bed, fastening, and the old man sprang up in bed, crying out, “Who’s there?”crying out, “Who’s there?”

I kept quite still and said nothing. For a whole I kept quite still and said nothing. For a whole hour I did not move a muscle, and in the hour I did not move a muscle, and in the meantime I did not hear him lie down. He was meantime I did not hear him lie down. He was still sitting up in the bed listening – just as I have still sitting up in the bed listening – just as I have done, night after night, hearkening to the death done, night after night, hearkening to the death watcheswatches** ** in the wall.in the wall.

**Death watches are beetles that bore into **Death watches are beetles that bore into wood, especially of old houses and furniture. wood, especially of old houses and furniture. Some superstitious people believe that these Some superstitious people believe that these insects’ ticking sounds foretell death. insects’ ticking sounds foretell death.

Presently I heard a slight groan, and I Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or of grief – oh was not a groan of pain or of grief – oh no! –it was the low stifled sound that no! –it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it has welled up from all the world slept, it has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say I knew it well. I knew what the me. I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart. chuckled at heart.

I knew that he had been lying awake ever since I knew that he had been lying awake ever since the first slight noise, when he had turned in the the first slight noise, when he had turned in the bed. His fears had been ever since growing upon bed. His fears had been ever since growing upon him. He had been trying to fancy them him. He had been trying to fancy them causeless, but could not. He had been saying to causeless, but could not. He had been saying to himself – “It is nothing but the wind in the himself – “It is nothing but the wind in the chimney –it is only a mouse crossing the floor,” chimney –it is only a mouse crossing the floor,” or “It is merely a cricket which has made a or “It is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp.” Yes, he had been trying to comfort single chirp.” Yes, he had been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions: but he had himself with these suppositions: but he had found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in approaching him, had stalked with his black approaching him, had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim. shadow before him, and enveloped the victim. And it was the mournful influence of the And it was the mournful influence of the unperceived shadow that caused him to feel –unperceived shadow that caused him to feel –although he neither saw nor heard –to although he neither saw nor heard –to feelfeel the the presence of my head within the room.presence of my head within the room.

When I had waited a long time, very When I had waited a long time, very patiently, without hearing him lie down, I patiently, without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open a little –a very, very little resolved to open a little –a very, very little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it –you crevice in the lantern. So I opened it –you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily –cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily –until, at length a simple dim ray, like the until, at length a simple dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and fell full upon the vulture eye.crevice and fell full upon the vulture eye.

It was open –wide, wide open –and I grew It was open –wide, wide open –and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness –all a dull blue, with a perfect distinctness –all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones; but I could see marrow in my bones; but I could see nothing else of the old man’s face or nothing else of the old man’s face or person: for I had directed the ray as if by person: for I had directed the ray as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned spot. instinct, precisely upon the damned spot.

And have I not told you that what you And have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over-mistake for madness is but over-acuteness of the sense? –now, I say, there acuteness of the sense? –now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I knew that sound well, too. It in cotton. I knew that sound well, too. It was the beating of the old man’s heart. It was the beating of the old man’s heart. It increased my fury, as the beating of a increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.drum stimulates the soldier into courage.

But even yet I refrained and kept still. I But even yet I refrained and kept still. I scarcely breathed. I held the lantern scarcely breathed. I held the lantern motionless. I tried how steadily I could motionless. I tried how steadily I could maintain the ray upon the eye. Meantime maintain the ray upon the eye. Meantime the hellish tattoo of the heart increased.the hellish tattoo of the heart increased.

It grew quicker and quicker, and louder and It grew quicker and quicker, and louder and louder every instant. The old man’s terror must louder every instant. The old man’s terror must have been extreme! It grew louder, I say, have been extreme! It grew louder, I say, louder every moment! –do you mark me well I louder every moment! –do you mark me well I have told you that I am nervous: so I am. And have told you that I am nervous: so I am. And now at the dead hour of the night, amid the now at the dead hour of the night, amid the dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror. Yet, for some minutes longer I refrained terror. Yet, for some minutes longer I refrained and stood still. But the beating grew louder, and stood still. But the beating grew louder, louder! I thought the heart must burst. And louder! I thought the heart must burst. And now a new anxiety seized me –the sound now a new anxiety seized me –the sound would be heard by a neighbor! The old man’s would be heard by a neighbor! The old man’s hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room. He the lantern and leaped into the room. He shrieked once –once only. shrieked once –once only.

In an instant I dragged him to the floor, In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him. I then and pulled the heavy bed over him. I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done. smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done. But, for many minutes, the heart beat on But, for many minutes, the heart beat on with a muffled sound. This, however, did with a muffled sound. This, however, did not vex me; it would not be heard through not vex me; it would not be heard through the wall. At length it ceased. The old man the wall. At length it ceased. The old man was dead. I removed the bed and was dead. I removed the bed and examined the corpse. Yes, he was stone, examined the corpse. Yes, he was stone, stone dead. I placed my hand upon the stone dead. I placed my hand upon the heart and held it there many minutes. heart and held it there many minutes. There was no pulsation. He was stone There was no pulsation. He was stone dead. His eye would trouble me no more. dead. His eye would trouble me no more.

If still you think me mad, you will think so no If still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the concealment of the body. The night took for the concealment of the body. The night waned, and I worked hastily, but in silence. waned, and I worked hastily, but in silence. First of all I dismembered the corpse. I cut off First of all I dismembered the corpse. I cut off the head and the arms and the legs.the head and the arms and the legs.

I then took up three planks from the flooring of I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I then replaced the boards so scantlings. I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye –not cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye –not even his –could have detected anything wrong. even his –could have detected anything wrong. There was nothing to wash out –no stain of any There was nothing to wash out –no stain of any kind –no blood-spot whatever. I had been too kind –no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary fro that. A tub had caught all –ha! Ha!wary fro that. A tub had caught all –ha! Ha!

When I had made an end of these labors, it When I had made an end of these labors, it was four o’clock –still dark as midnight. As the was four o’clock –still dark as midnight. As the bell sounded the hour, there came a knocking bell sounded the hour, there came a knocking at the street door. I went down to open it with at the street door. I went down to open it with a light heart, --for what had I now to fear? a light heart, --for what had I now to fear? There entered three men, who introduced There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity, as officers of themselves, with perfect suavity, as officers of the police. A shriek had been heard by a the police. A shriek had been heard by a neighbour during the night; suspicion of foul neighbour during the night; suspicion of foul play had been aroused; information had been play had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they (the lodged at the police office, and they (the officers) had been deputed to search the officers) had been deputed to search the premises.premises.

I smiled, --for what had I to fear? I bade the I smiled, --for what had I to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream. The old man, I my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned was absent in the country. I took mentioned was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house. I bade them my visitors all over the house. I bade them search –search well. I led them, at length, to search –search well. I led them, at length, to his chamber. I showed them his treasures, his chamber. I showed them his treasures, secure, undisturbed. In the enthusiasm of secure, undisturbed. In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim. reposed the corpse of the victim.

The officers were satisfied. My manner had The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced them. I was singularly at ease. convinced them. I was singularly at ease. They sat, and while I answered cheerily, They sat, and while I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things. But, ere they chatted of familiar things. But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chatted. The ringing became more still chatted. The ringing became more distinct: --It continued and became more distinct: --It continued and became more distinct: I talked more freely to get rid of distinct: I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained the feeling: but it continued and gained definiteness –until, at length, I found that definiteness –until, at length, I found that the noise was not within my ears.the noise was not within my ears.

No doubt I grew very pale; --but I talked more No doubt I grew very pale; --but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound increased –and what could I do? It was a sound increased –and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick sound –much such a sound as low, dull, quick sound –much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath –and yet the officers heard it gasped for breath –and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly –more vehemently; not. I talked more quickly –more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the as if excited to fury by the observations of the men –but the noise steadily increased. men –but the noise steadily increased.

Oh God! What could I do? I foamed –I raved –Oh God! What could I do? I foamed –I raved –I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder –louder –louder! increased. It grew louder –louder –louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God! –no, no! They heard! –they Almighty God! –no, no! They heard! –they suspected! –they knew! –they were making suspected! –they knew! –they were making a mockery of my horror! –this I thought, and a mockery of my horror! –this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! And now –again! –hark! must scream or die! And now –again! –hark! Louder! Louder! Louder! Louder!Louder! Louder! Louder! Louder!

““Villains!” I shrieked, “dissemble no more! I Villains!” I shrieked, “dissemble no more! I admit the deed! –tear up the planks! Here, admit the deed! –tear up the planks! Here, here! –It is the beating of his hideous heart!”here! –It is the beating of his hideous heart!”

THE ENDTHE ENDRe-examination: We are going to go back through the Re-examination: We are going to go back through the story slide by slide, and as we go back through, you story slide by slide, and as we go back through, you are going to look for the following things:are going to look for the following things:

Signs of the narrator’s madnessSigns of the narrator’s madness

Ways that E.A. Poe creates suspense or Ways that E.A. Poe creates suspense or ‘creepiness’‘creepiness’

Words you are unfamiliar with/questions that you Words you are unfamiliar with/questions that you havehave

Everyone should speak at least once. If you don’t Everyone should speak at least once. If you don’t have a comment, ask a question. have a comment, ask a question.

““The Cask of The Cask of Amontillado”Amontillado”

Though the storylines are very different, Though the storylines are very different, what similarities are there between what similarities are there between “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Tell-Tale Heart”?Tell-Tale Heart”?

Lines 1-5Lines 1-5

I had my head in and was about to I had my head in and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin fastening, and slipped upon the tin fastening, and the old man sprang up in bed, the old man sprang up in bed, crying out, “Who’s there?”crying out, “Who’s there?”

I kept quite still and said nothing. I kept quite still and said nothing. For a whole hour I did not move a For a whole hour I did not move a muscle, and in the meantime I did muscle, and in the meantime I did not hear him lie down. He was still not hear him lie down. He was still sitting up in the bed listening – sitting up in the bed listening – just as I have done, night after just as I have done, night after night, hearkening to the death night, hearkening to the death watches in the wall.watches in the wall.

Lines 6-11Lines 6-11

Presently I heard a slight groan, and I Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or of grief – It was not a groan of pain or of grief – oh no! –it was the low stifled sound oh no! –it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it midnight, when all the world slept, it has welled up from my own bosom, has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say I knew terrors that distracted me. I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart. heart.

Lines 11-19Lines 11-19

I knew that he had been lying awake ever I knew that he had been lying awake ever since the first slight noise, when he had since the first slight noise, when he had turned in the bed. His fears had been ever turned in the bed. His fears had been ever since growing upon him. He had been trying since growing upon him. He had been trying to fancy them causeless, but could not. He to fancy them causeless, but could not. He had been saying to himself – “It is nothing had been saying to himself – “It is nothing but the wind in the chimney –it is only a but the wind in the chimney –it is only a mouse crossing the floor,” or “It is merely a mouse crossing the floor,” or “It is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp.” Yes, cricket which has made a single chirp.” Yes, he had been trying to comfort himself with he had been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions: but he had found all in these suppositions: but he had found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in vain. All in vain; because Death, in approaching him, had stalked with his black approaching him, had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the shadow before him, and enveloped the victim. And it was the mournful influence of victim. And it was the mournful influence of the unperceived shadow that caused him to the unperceived shadow that caused him to feel –although he neither saw nor heard –to feel –although he neither saw nor heard –to feelfeel the presence of my head within the the presence of my head within the room.room.