Both of these quotes show characterization used by Poe. The narrator is the main character, and it must be noted that this story is being told in hindsight, trying to convince the reader/audience that he is not "mad", as they all believe him to be. He invites the reader to "Hearken! and observe how healthily - how calmly I can tell you the whole story"

The recollection of all of these facts that create this story are to show how he took such care and caution and possessed such foresight when planning and committing the murder. The first quote is commenting on this and his cunning to conceal his intent. Once again, he believes that this characteristics prove that he cannot be "mad".

The second quote shows his patience when fulfilling his goal. He was determined and willing to remain calm and work slowly to ensure that he would not be caught. Once again, qualities not typically associated with those who are "mad".

What do these quotes reveal about the character in "The Tell-Tale Heart"?

"I moved it slowly - very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening."

"You should have seen how wisely I proceeded-with what caution-with what foresight-with what dissimulation I went to work!"

Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Tell-Tale Heart" is a glimpse inside the mind of a murderer as he recounts the tale of his hideous deed. The narrator is telling this tale and attempting to prove to the audience that he is not "mad". He asks the reader to see "how healthily - how calmly [he] can tell you the whole story". He also says that insane people know nothing and have no wits about them. These quotes are an attempt to show to the reader how clever he was in his preparation to his deed. This he feels is sufficient to prove his sanity. He does not realize that these actions, taking an hour to place his head inside the door, show his madness, not his sanity.