Questions and Answers
What does the narrator claim has sharpened his senses?
What idea haunts the narrator day and night?
The thought of killing the old man
What unusual feature does the old man's eye have that bothers the narrator?
It resembles the eye of a vulture.
Why does the narrator decide to kill the old man?
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What time does the narrator spy on the old man?
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What does the narrator do when he finds the old man's eye open?
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The narrator successfully hides the body without any issues.
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What does the narrator claim caused the shriek heard by the police?
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The sound that the narrator hears increasing in volume is like a watch made when enveloped in _____
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The narrator believes the police can hear the heartbeat of the old man's heart.
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What does the narrator demand the police do at the end?
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Study Notes
Narrator's Condition
- The narrator describes a "disease" that heightens his senses, hinting at his potential insanity.
- Hearing "all things in heaven, earth, and hell" foreshadows the dark events to come.
Obsession with the Old Man
- An idea to kill the old man becomes an obsession that the narrator cannot shake off, indicating unstable mental health.
- The old man's eye, described as a "vulture" eye, becomes an object of the narrator's fixation and fear.
Decision to Murder
- The narrator resolves to murder the old man to rid himself of the disturbing eye, feeling it watches him with a life of its own.
Nightly Vigil
- He sneaks into the old man's room nightly, driven by his fixation, deepening his resolve and obsession with the eye.
Rage and Murder
- Upon seeing the old man's eye open, the narrator's pent-up rage culminates in the murder of the old man, showcasing his complete loss of control.
Concealment of the Crime
- The narrator argues he is sane due to the meticulous planning of hiding the body, which ironically reveals his dwindling sanity.
Police Arrival
- After the murder, police come to investigate based on a neighbor's report of a shriek, prompting the narrator to feign calmness.
Deception and Paranoia
- The narrator's confident lie about the shriek being from a dream reflects his unhinged state, believing he has hidden the crime effectively.
Growing Anxiety
- As he converses with the police, the narrator hears the rhythmic beating of the old man’s heart, heightening his paranoia and anxiety.
Panic and Confession
- Convinced the police suspect him, he panics and accuses them of mockery, revealing his crumbling mental state.
Breakdown and Revelation
- Overwhelmed by guilt and the incessant heartbeat, he confesses to the murder, demanding the police uncover the body, demonstrating his mental collapse.
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Description
Explore the psychological themes in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart.' This quiz delves into the narrator's descent into madness, his obsession with the old man's eye, and the dark climax of the story. Analyze key moments that illustrate his unstable mental state and the consequences of his actions.
