In “The Tell-Tale Heart,” one prominent theme is the nature of guilt and the psychological consequences of committing a crime. The narrator insists on his sanity while revealing his obsession with the old man's eye, which drives him to commit murder. However, after the act, he becomes increasingly tormented by his conscience, exemplified when he hears the imagined beating of the heart, leading to his confession. This internal struggle illustrates how guilt can manifest and consume an individual, ultimately revealing the inescapable impact of one’s actions on the mind.
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.
3 answers
Rewrite it like a high schooler
One of the main themes in “The Tell-Tale Heart” is the idea of guilt and how it can mess with a person's mind after they commit a crime. The narrator claims he is sane but becomes completely obsessed with the old man's eye, which leads him to kill the man. After the murder, he can't escape his guilt and starts hearing the sound of the old man's heart beating in his head, which drives him to confess. This shows how guilt can take control and haunt a person, proving that you can’t really escape the consequences of your actions.
1 answer