The Tell-Tale Heart Analysis
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Questions and Answers

What is the narrator's primary motivation for wanting to kill the old man?

  • The old man's pale blue eye (correct)
  • The old man's wealth
  • The old man's evil actions
  • The narrator's madness

The narrator admits to being calm and collected.

True (A)

What time of night did the narrator enter the old man's room?

midnight

The narrator describes the old man's eye as resembling that of a ______.

<p>vulture</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following actions to their descriptions:

<p>Opening the door = done gently Moving his head = done slowly Opening the lantern = done cautiously Speaking to the old man = done courageously</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many nights did the narrator peek in on the old man?

<p>Seven (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator felt hatred for the old man.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why couldn't the narrator complete his 'work' the first six nights he entered the room?

<p>the old man's eye was closed</p> Signup and view all the answers

What caused the old man to cry out, "Who's there?"

<p>The narrator's thumb slipping on the lantern fastening (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator felt fear when the old man moved in bed.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the narrator what was the old man attempting to convince himself the noises were?

<p>The wind in the chimney, a mouse crossing the floor, or a cricket chirping</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator opened the door little by little, and the old man did not even ________ of his secret deeds.

<p>dream</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the descriptions to the correct actions:

<p>The narrator's movement speed = Slower than a watch's minute hand The room's appearance = Black as pitch The old man's reaction after hearing a noise = Sprang up in bed The type of groan the narrator heard = Groan of mortal terror</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the narrator know the old man was awake and fearful?

<p>The narrator heard a groan of mortal terror (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator felt pity for the old man's terror.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator mean when they said 'Death, in approaching him had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim.'?

<p>That the old man's awareness of danger was a sign of his impending death</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the narrator looking at through the crevice in the lantern?

<p>The old man's eye (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator was angered by the sound of the old man's heart.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator do after the old man shrieked?

<p>The narrator dragged him to the floor and pulled the bed over him.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator described the light from the lantern as a 'simple dim ray, like the thread of the ______'

<p>spider</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator believe was the cause of his heightened senses?

<p>His over-acuteness of the senses (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The old man died immediately after being pulled to the floor.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator do to ensure the old man was deceased?

<p>The narrator examined the corpse, placed his hand on his heart and felt no pulsation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the descriptions to their corresponding actions in the story:

<p>Opened a crevice = Peered through a lantern at an eye Heard a sound like a watch = The old man's heartbeat Yelled loudly = Leapt into the room Smiled gaily = Found the deed to be done</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator do with the corpse?

<p>Dismembered it (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator felt anxious when the police officers arrived.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What sound did the narrator compare to the noise he was hearing?

<p>The sound of a watch wrapped in cotton.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator replaced the planks so cleverly that no human eye could detect any _____ wrong.

<p>thing</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the actions to the narrator's feelings:

<p>Dismembering the corpse = Confident Welcoming the police = At ease Talking to the officers = Nervous Hearing the ringing sound = Pale</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator use to catch the blood?

<p>A tub (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The old man was present in the house when the police officers arrived.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What compelled the police to search the premises?

<p>A shriek heard by a neighbor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator say is impossible to explain about the idea to kill the old man?

<p>How the idea first entered his head. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator claims the old man had previously hurt him.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the narrator’s final reason for wanting to kill the old man?

<p>His eye</p> Signup and view all the answers

Every night, the narrator carefully lifted the cloth on his light so that a single, thin, small light fell across the old man's ______.

<p>eye</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator compare his hand’s movement to when opening the door on the eighth night?

<p>The hands of a clock (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator felt a sense of fear when the old man cried out, 'Who's there?!'

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator believe was the 'work' he needed to do?

<p>killing the eye</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator do immediately after hearing the old man's cry of fear?

<p>The narrator lifted the cloth from the lantern. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator was concerned that someone else in the house would hear the old man's cries.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the narrator, what specific physical feature of the old man heightened the narrator's anger?

<p>The old man's eye.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator compared the sound of the old man's heart to the sound of a clock heard through a ______.

<p>wall</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following actions to the narrator's feelings and experiences:

<p>Lifting the cloth = Exposed the old man's eye Hearing the old man's heart = Increased the narrator's anger and fear Rushing into the room crying 'Die! Die!' = The moment of the attack Cutting off the head, arms, and legs = Disposing of the body carefully</p> Signup and view all the answers

What caused the narrator to rush into the old man's room?

<p>The sound of the old man's loud beating heart. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator thought he had committed the perfect crime because he disposed of the body so well.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the final action the narrator took to confirm the old man was deceased?

<p>The narrator held his ear over the old man's heart.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What time of morning did the police arrive at the narrator's door?

<p>Four o’clock (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator was initially fearful when the police arrived.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What lie did the narrator tell the police about the old man's whereabouts?

<p>The old man had gone to visit a friend in the country.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator tried to cover the sound he was hearing by pushing his chair across the ______.

<p>floor</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator compare the sound he was hearing from the floorboards to?

<p>The sound of a clock heard through a wall (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The narrator believed that the police did not hear the sound of the old man's heart beating.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the narrator try to convince the police that he was not responsible for the old man's disappearance?

<p>By being very quiet and calm (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Terror

A feeling of extreme anxiety or unease, often caused by fear or dread.

Fury

A feeling of intense anger or rage.

Dim Ray

A very small amount of light, like a thin thread.

Heart Beat

The beating of the heart, especially when it is very loud or fast.

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Stealthily

To move something slowly and carefully, without making any noise.

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Over-Acuteness of the Senses

To be very attentive and aware of something, like a heightened sense of hearing or sight.

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Low, Dull, Quick Sound

A sound that is muffled and low, like something is covered in cotton.

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Gazing

The act of watching or observing something very closely.

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Acute Senses

The narrator's heightened senses, especially hearing, are a key characteristic of his mental state.

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The Eye of a Vulture

The narrator's obsession with the old man's eye reveals a deep-seated psychological disturbance.

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Methodical Madness

The narrator's careful planning and methodical approach contrast with his supposed madness.

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Dissimulation and Deception

The narrator's deliberate kindness towards the old man masks his true intentions.

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Nightly Ritual

The narrator's meticulous planning and nightly visits to the old man's room highlight his fixation on the eye.

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The Eye as a Symbol

The narrator's obsession with the old man's eye stems from more than just physical appearance; it symbolizes something deeply disturbing.

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Paranoia and Obsession

The narrator's escalating obsession with the old man's eye borders on paranoia.

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Premeditated Murder

The narrator's actions, especially his nightly visits to the old man's room, reveal a twisted and premeditated plan.

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The Narrator's Stealth

The narrator's cautious, almost obsessive behavior in approaching the old man's room. He slowly opens the door, making sure not to be detected, driven by his sinister plan.

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Narrator's Triumph

The narrator derives a sense of satisfaction and triumph from his ability to manipulate and control the old man without him being aware. He finds amusement in the old man's cluelessness.

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The Old Man's Fear

The old man's growing fear and anxiety, fueled by the narrator's calculated actions. He becomes increasingly aware of a presence in his room but cannot pinpoint the source.

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Understanding Fear

The narrator's deep understanding of the inner workings of fear. He experiences it himself and is able to recognize it in the old man. This understanding allows him to manipulate the fear for his evil purpose.

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Lack of Empathy

The narrator's cold and calculating approach to his crime. He lacks empathy for the old man's terror, instead finding amusement in it. This highlights his sinister nature.

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Amplifying Fear

The narrator's use of deception and subtle manipulation to increase the old man's fear. He reinforces the old man's attempts to rationalize the events, further driving him into a state of terror.

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The Overwhelming Dread

The old man's growing dread and inability to escape his fear. The presence of an unseen threat, the anticipation of imminent danger, becomes overwhelming.

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The Fear of the Unseen

The old man's fear of the unseen, the unknown. The narrator's presence within the room, although unseen, becomes a tangible threat, engulfing him in a sense of inevitable doom.

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How did the narrator dispose of the body?

The narrator dismembers the body, hides it under the floorboards, and cleans up any evidence of the crime.

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What is the narrator's demeanor like when the police arrive?

The narrator is calm and confident in his actions, even when interacting with the police.

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How does the narrator's state of mind change as the police are in the room?

The narrator feels a sense of unease as the police sit in the room where the body is hidden, leading to an increasingly frantic state.

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What sound does the narrator hear that increases his anxiety?

The narrator hears a sound that he initially believes is in his ears but later realizes is coming from the floorboards, signifying the presence of the hidden body.

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What is the narrator's primary motivation throughout the story?

The narrator's actions and reactions are driven by a desire to maintain control and avoid detection, ultimately fueled by a sense of pride in his cleverness.

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How does the narrator's tone and language contribute to the atmosphere of the story?

The narrator's detailed and matter-of-fact descriptions of his actions, particularly in concealing the body, create a sense of horror and unease in the reader.

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How does the author use suspense to create tension?

The story utilizes suspense to build tension and keep the reader guessing, particularly through the narrator's growing sense of paranoia and the eventual discovery of the sound.

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What does the narrator's behavior suggest about his mental state?

The narrator's actions and reactions suggest a psychological disturbance and potential insanity, reflected in his meticulous planning, his calm demeanor, and his eventual unraveling.

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The 'Evil Eye'

The narrator's obsession with the old man's eye, described as 'vulture-like,' reveals a deep psychological disturbance and a fixation on a specific physical detail.

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How does the narrator dispose of the body?

The narrator carefully hides the old man's body under the floorboards in his house, ensuring no one can discover it.

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How does the narrator act when the police arrive?

The narrator is calm and composed, almost too relaxed, when the police arrive. He confidently leads them through the house, even suggesting they sit down and talk.

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What sound does the narrator hear?

The narrator hears a sound that he initially believes is in his ears. However, he soon realizes that the sound is coming from the floorboards where the body is concealed. This realization intensifies his fear and anxiety.

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What is the narrator's primary motivation?

The narrator's primary motivation throughout the story is to maintain control and avoid detection. He takes great pride in his ability to manipulate and deceive others. This is fueled by his twisted sense of satisfaction in his cleverness.

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What effect does the narrator's language have on the reader?

The narrator's detailed and matter-of-fact descriptions of his actions, especially when concealing the body, create a sense of horror and unease in the reader. The language adds disturbing detail and creates a disturbing atmosphere.

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How does the author use suspense in the story?

The story builds suspense through the narrator's growing paranoia and his eventual discovery of the sound. This creates tension and keeps the reader guessing what will happen next.

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Over-Acuteness of Senses

The narrator's increased awareness of sounds and sensations, especially hearing, revealing a heightened sensitivity and possibly a sign of mental instability.

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Study Notes

The Tell-Tale Heart

  • The narrator's state of mind: Extremely nervous and obsessed with an old man's eye. Claims his senses are heightened, not dulled, by the illness. His hearing is especially acute.

  • The crime: The narrator meticulously plans and executes the murder of an old man he claims to have loved. The key motivator is the old man's "vulture eye", a pale blue eye with a film over it.

  • Planning and execution: The narrator commits the murder over several nights, carefully sneaking into the old man's room. He meticulously dismembers and hides the body under floorboards.

  • The motive: The old man's unsettling eye is the driving force behind the murder. The narrator reports no other grievances or greed. He describes the eye as resembling a "vulture".

  • The revealing sound: After the murder, the narrator hears a loud, rhythmic beating sound (the old man's still-beating heart). This sound drives him to madness and confess. The sound is described as a "low, dull, quick sound," like a watch.

  • The police: The police investigate a scream and come to question the narrator, who initially tries to evade suspicion, acting very calm and rational. The relentless sound, growing louder over time, forces a confession.

  • The narrator's mental state: The narrator demonstrates a twisted and obsessive psyche throughout the story, meticulous in planning the murder and hiding the body but ultimately undone by the increasing noise. His guilt is a central theme.

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Description

Explore the chilling elements of Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart' in this quiz. Test your understanding of the narrator's psyche, the crime's meticulous planning, and the haunting themes of guilt and madness. Dive deep into this classic tale of horror and obsession.

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