One of the major themes in “The Tell-Tale Heart” is the effects of guilt or conscience and the descent into madness. In the story, the narrator’s sanity is definitely in question. He kills the old man because of his “evil eye” but then feels guilty about it.
The story depicts a rapid devolving of the narrator’s psyche. At first he is very proud of himself, and considers himself very clever to have gotten away with the murder. When the police arrive, he coolly tells them there is nothing wrong, then leads them into the old man’s room.
In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the
The story depicts a rapid devolving of the narrator’s psyche. At first he is very proud of himself, and considers himself very clever to have gotten away with the murder. When the police arrive, he coolly tells them there is nothing wrong, then leads them into the old man’s room.
In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the