One prominent theme in the passage from “The Tell-Tale Heart” is the conflict between sanity and insanity. The narrator insists on their sanity, stating, "how calmly I can tell you the whole story," which raises questions about their reliability and mental state. The obsession with the old man's eye, described as "the eye of a vulture," symbolizes how irrational fears can lead to destructive thoughts. This fixation ultimately drives the narrator to consider murder, illustrating the theme of how a disturbed mind can distort reality and morality.
The Tell Tale Heart
by Edgar Allen Poe
True!—nervous—very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses—not destroyed—not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily—how calmly I can tell you the whole story.
It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had never wronged me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire. I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! He had the eye of a vulture—a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees—very gradually—I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.
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Question
Use the passage from “The Tell-Tale Heart” to answer the question.
In 3-5 sentences, determine one or more themes in the passage. Cite details from the passage to support your answer.
(4 points)
1 answer