The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

In the story “The Tell Tale Heart”, the author, Edgar Allan Poe creates a huge build up that keeps the reader imprisoned in its suspense. He does this by using a large amount of figures of speech, such as repetition, similes and metaphors. The plot of “The Tell Tale Heart” is about the insanity of the narrator surrounding an old man who lives with him. The narrator’s insanity gets worse after he kills the man because of his glass eye. His mind makes him think the police officers know about the murder, and gives up the fact that he killed the old man.

“The Tell Tale Heart” was written in first person point of view. It says in the story, “Now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton.” and “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.” In these two examples, they both use the first person pronouns I and me. Onomatopoeias are used in this story alot to help show the first person point of view, like,

First person point of view creates the mood of this story by telling us how the narrator is feeling. It creates tension and suspense about what the narrator will do next. Throughout the story, Poe is careful how he portrays his words.The way he does portray them creates a sense of suspense that makes you feel as if you are observing the whole event.

At this point, it’s clear that Edgar Allen Poe chose first person point of view to create a creepy and intense story. It continues to use the first person pronouns I, me, and my.