The Tell-Tale Heart
The Tell-Tale Heart is one of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous stories. He has been recognized for being one of the most accomplished Dark Romantics since his death, but while he was alive, he did not receive much money or credit for his excellence in writing. In fact, Poe had a very hard life. His mother died when he was just a boy, and he was separated from everyone in his entire family. He began living with the Allan couple. Mr. and Mrs. Allan sent him away to England for school as a child, and when he went to college, they did not financially support him very well. He began to drink frequently, and was in debt. Mr. Allan always expressed his disappointment in Edgar. Edgar moved away and soon after Mrs. Allan died. Mr. Allan began to speak to him again but did not support him well. Mr. Allan passed away within a short time frame after that. Later in his life, he was always poor. He had married, but he lost his beloved wife and cousin Virginia when she passed away in 1847. No certain inspiration could be found for this story, but in the story, it is apparent that there is death. Edgar experienced death of the ones he loved all through his life. Also, this story has dark elements, which is probably how he was feeling at many times in his life. Lastly, it seems that the old man died old, scared and alone. It is possible that Poe feared dying this way when he was old; this may be why he planned to remarry so quickly after his wife died (“Short”).
Criticism exists in every story that is written. In The-Tell Tale Heart some people argue that the old man and the narrator share the same characteristics, and the narrator continuously expresses what the old man is feeling; critics say that they are so alike that it seems as though they are the one, or two similar people. Also, critics think that the reason for the murder of the old man was too vague. Arguments exist that if no passion towards the man even existed, the narrator could not have wanted to kill him so badly. Critics believe that the narrator possibly may not have even known that the eye was the exact reason as to why he murdered the old man. Lastly, critics argue that at the end of the story, the narrator may be hearing his own heartbeat. In fact, some of them even go as far as to say that the old man and narrator was the same person and the murder was possibly an act of suicide ("Tell").
In The Tell-Tale Heart no biblical, Greek, Latin, or any other famous references are necessary to understand the story. Possibly though, one may need to know about the life of Edgar Allan Poe. In order to understand where he is coming from, one may need to know more about his harsh life. Also, if one knows about Poe’s life, it will be more likely that they will understand the symbolism and imagery. For example, if one knew that Poe experienced death of loved ones throughout his life, they may understand why the story was about the death of an old man. Poe relates many of the stories he writes to his life, and to read and fully understand where Poe is coming from in any story he wrote, it will always be helpful to know more about the history of his life ("Short").
In final analysis, it is most important when reading stories from Poe to know about his life. He seems to let out what he is feeling and parts of his life on paper. Not only will one be able to fully understand the story better this way, but one will also see the inspiring events in his life that led him to write the way he wrote. Although some people have their own personal opinions and ways to critique Poe’s stories, he was an excellent writer, and is now one of the best Dark Romantics in all of literature.
The Tell-Tale Heart is one of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous stories. He has been recognized for being one of the most accomplished Dark Romantics since his death, but while he was alive, he did not receive much money or credit for his excellence in writing. In fact, Poe had a very hard life. His mother died when he was just a boy, and he was separated from everyone in his entire family. He began living with the Allan couple. Mr. and Mrs. Allan sent him away to England for school as a child, and when he went to college, they did not financially support him very well. He began to drink frequently, and was in debt. Mr. Allan always expressed his disappointment in Edgar. Edgar moved away and soon after Mrs. Allan died. Mr. Allan began to speak to him again but did not support him well. Mr. Allan passed away within a short time frame after that. Later in his life, he was always poor. He had married, but he lost his beloved wife and cousin Virginia when she passed away in 1847. No certain inspiration could be found for this story, but in the story, it is apparent that there is death. Edgar experienced death of the ones he loved all through his life. Also, this story has dark elements, which is probably how he was feeling at many times in his life. Lastly, it seems that the old man died old, scared and alone. It is possible that Poe feared dying this way when he was old; this may be why he planned to remarry so quickly after his wife died (“Short”).
Criticism exists in every story that is written. In The-Tell Tale Heart some people argue that the old man and the narrator share the same characteristics, and the narrator continuously expresses what the old man is feeling; critics say that they are so alike that it seems as though they are the one, or two similar people. Also, critics think that the reason for the murder of the old man was too vague. Arguments exist that if no passion towards the man even existed, the narrator could not have wanted to kill him so badly. Critics believe that the narrator possibly may not have even known that the eye was the exact reason as to why he murdered the old man. Lastly, critics argue that at the end of the story, the narrator may be hearing his own heartbeat. In fact, some of them even go as far as to say that the old man and narrator was the same person and the murder was possibly an act of suicide ("Tell").
In The Tell-Tale Heart no biblical, Greek, Latin, or any other famous references are necessary to understand the story. Possibly though, one may need to know about the life of Edgar Allan Poe. In order to understand where he is coming from, one may need to know more about his harsh life. Also, if one knows about Poe’s life, it will be more likely that they will understand the symbolism and imagery. For example, if one knew that Poe experienced death of loved ones throughout his life, they may understand why the story was about the death of an old man. Poe relates many of the stories he writes to his life, and to read and fully understand where Poe is coming from in any story he wrote, it will always be helpful to know more about the history of his life ("Short").
In final analysis, it is most important when reading stories from Poe to know about his life. He seems to let out what he is feeling and parts of his life on paper. Not only will one be able to fully understand the story better this way, but one will also see the inspiring events in his life that led him to write the way he wrote. Although some people have their own personal opinions and ways to critique Poe’s stories, he was an excellent writer, and is now one of the best Dark Romantics in all of literature.
