Tell Tale Heart

Is Poe's narrator an example of a reliable or unreliable narrator?

Poe's narrator is not entirely reliable. The reader knows this because the narrators actions and thoughts suggest he is deranged or mentally unstable. The narrator is 'haunted day and night' (91) by his thoughts of killing a man he claims to love. This is not the description of a reliable narrator, but rather one whose sanity is called into question.

The story takes place in a home of an old man who lives with a caretaker taking care of his property. We do not know exactly when the actions take place (in a historical context), but we can estimate the time frame to be over the cause of a week with most of actions happening around midnight.

Setting

Describe the conflict in this story . Is it internal or external?

The conflict in this story is both internal and external. The narrator has an internal character vs. himself conflict over whether or not to kill the old man, and whether or not to confess his crimes. When he hears the beating heart he '[feels] that [he] must scream or die!'(94). He gives in, and confesses his deed to the police. The external conflict occurs between the narrator and the old man. The narrator sneaks into his room, attacks, and 'dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him'(93). This is clearly a case of character vs. character conflict.

What do you think the narrator is really hearing at the end? What makes you think so?

The narrator hears 'a low, dull, quick sound-much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton' (94). He surmises that it is the old mans beating heart underneath the floorboards and that the policemen will discover his crimes. What the narrator most likely hears is his own heart beating as a result of the stress and paranoia. As he becomes more frantic, the beating sound increases and grows louder.

supposition

an uncertain belief

vexed

annoyed

reposed

be lying, situated, or kept in a particular place.

acute

having or showing a perceptive understanding or insight: shrewd

waned

to grow gradually less