How To Build Suspense In The Tell Tale Heart
A Pounding Heart
Human beings love a thrill. Roller coasters, horror movies, and haunted houses are just a few of the experiences thrill-seekers enjoy. However, those are not for everyone. Those who wish to feel the excitement and adrenaline without the risk can simply turn their gaze to literature. There are multitudes of stories and novels that were written to keep the reader at the edge of his seat in anticipation. One of the most well known examples of these is the “Tell Tale Heart.” Despite the story’s vivid imagery and symbolism, the suspense in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart” is what gives the story such an exciting, heart-stopping effect.
There are methods to this madness, and Poe employs a number of them to add to the nature of his tale. One of such methods is the quick, repetitive …show more content…
This allowed the reader to see inside the narrator’s thoughts; it shows how frantic he is and how confident in his abilities he was when planning the murder. He describes his sluggish preparations, emphasizing the time and care he put into making sure that every thing would run smoothly. “I moved it slowly --very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep. (Poe p 3)” The focus on his pacing draws the story out and allows for more time for the suspense to build and build up until the crime takes place. The point of view also gives the reader a better understanding of the narrator’s thoughts, ideas, and hallucinations.
The suspense in the “Tell Tale Heart” is the reason it stands out among other short stories. Few Americans haven’t read it, and it is taught in many schools across the country. It has kept readers, students and adults alike, ensnared in its paragraphs for decades. No matter how much time passes, Poe’s story will continue to keep people at the edge of their seats for the years to come. After all, who can resist the thrill of a story so masterfully
Human beings love a thrill. Roller coasters, horror movies, and haunted houses are just a few of the experiences thrill-seekers enjoy. However, those are not for everyone. Those who wish to feel the excitement and adrenaline without the risk can simply turn their gaze to literature. There are multitudes of stories and novels that were written to keep the reader at the edge of his seat in anticipation. One of the most well known examples of these is the “Tell Tale Heart.” Despite the story’s vivid imagery and symbolism, the suspense in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart” is what gives the story such an exciting, heart-stopping effect.
There are methods to this madness, and Poe employs a number of them to add to the nature of his tale. One of such methods is the quick, repetitive …show more content…
This allowed the reader to see inside the narrator’s thoughts; it shows how frantic he is and how confident in his abilities he was when planning the murder. He describes his sluggish preparations, emphasizing the time and care he put into making sure that every thing would run smoothly. “I moved it slowly --very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep. (Poe p 3)” The focus on his pacing draws the story out and allows for more time for the suspense to build and build up until the crime takes place. The point of view also gives the reader a better understanding of the narrator’s thoughts, ideas, and hallucinations.
The suspense in the “Tell Tale Heart” is the reason it stands out among other short stories. Few Americans haven’t read it, and it is taught in many schools across the country. It has kept readers, students and adults alike, ensnared in its paragraphs for decades. No matter how much time passes, Poe’s story will continue to keep people at the edge of their seats for the years to come. After all, who can resist the thrill of a story so masterfully