The Tell-Tale Heart Group

Question:


ami-dancegir...

How does the subject matter create tension in "The Tell-Tale Heart"?

the things in the story could really happen-there are no monsters or ghosts mentioned! how does the realism unnerve the reader?

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Posted by ami-dancegirl2000 on Wednesday December 10, 2008 at 9:01 AM and tagged with subject matter, tension, the tell-tale heart.

Answers:

  1. tiaraschard
    tiaraschard Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    The realism is unnerving BECAUSE it could happen. We, as consumers of cinema, might be scared by horror films temporarily, but are comforted by the clear separation between their plots and the reality of our daily lives. The more far-fetched the plot, the easier it is to separate oneself from the possibility of its reality. The genius of Poe is his ability to create fear from real, entirely possible situations. It is possible for a man to be scared to death; it is possible for a man to be buried alive ("The Cask of Amontillado"). Poe is the difference between a werewolf and a serial killer - that which could be real creates in us the most fear.

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    Posted by tiaraschard on Wednesday December 10, 2008 at 11:33 AM