illustration of a human heart lying on black floorboards

The Tell-Tale Heart

by Edgar Allan Poe

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1. Although this tale centers on madness, for Poe, there is no such thing as "meaningless madness." Discuss the nature of madness as depicted in the story.

2. Poe believed that every element in a short story should contribute to its central effect, resulting in a cohesive narrative. What elements unify this story? What central effect binds it together? How can you distinguish between significant details and those that are not?

3. Poe frequently explores the theme of time and mortality, emphasizing how humans are confined by time and inevitably face death. Describe how this story embodies this prevalent theme in Poe's work.

4. Examine other Poe stories featuring an obsessed, seemingly insane narrator, such as "The Black Cat," "The Imp of the Perverse," and "The Cask of Amontillado." What common traits do the narrators in these stories possess?

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