“The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe 

BEFORE READING

Author Biography

Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849) was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Orphaned at 

an early age, he was taken in by a wealthy family in Virginia. During his life, Poe 

endured personal tragedies, including the death of his mother, a difficult stay in 

his foster home, a college career shortened by debts and misconduct, the death 

of his wife at a young age, and years of poverty. These tragedies influenced 

Poe’s writing so that his short stories were filled with horror. He believed that a 

short story should be written to produce a single emotional effect for the reader: 

all events, characters, ideas, and words should be chosen and manipulated 

solely for the purpose of achieving this effect. “The Tell-Tale Heart” is one of the 

best examples of Poe’s tales of terror. 

Literary Focus: 

Atmosphere and MoodThe atmosphere or mood of a story is the overall emotional 

feeling created by the details the author uses: Sometimes you may be able to 

describe the atmosphere in a single word – sad, frightening, or mysterious, for 

example. Authors create atmosphere by their descriptions of settings, characters, 

and events. They choose words carefully so that you will be affected by their 

writing in the way they want you to be. 

Knowing the following words will help you as you read “The TellTale Heart.” Before reading, preview the words and what they mean. It may also 

VOCABULARY 

help if you scan through the story, find, and then underline the words in the text.

WORD

DEFINITION WORD

Acute sensitive over-acuteness

foresight thoughtful regard for the future concealment

dissimulation

the hiding of one’s feelings or purposes waned

vexed

troubled, distressed, caused agitation scantlings

profound

seeing beyond what is obvious suavity

sagacity sound judgment bade

hearkening

awe a mixed feeling of reverence, fear, and wonder reposed

crevice a narrow opening gesticulations

distinctness unmistakable, clearly defined derision

Irony

Verbal Irony-occurs when there is a difference between what a character says 

and what another character understands

Ex. "The cake is as soft as concrete" - the person wants to tell that the cake is not so soft to eat. 

 "Water is as clear as mud" - The person actually says that the water is not at all clear. 

  "Isn't it as pleasant as a root canal?" - This implies that whatever occurred was not pleasant at 

all. 

Example from Tell-Tale Heart:

(Hint: what does the narrator say about himself?)

1.

Situational Irony when the opposite of what one would expect to happen 

actually happens

Ex. My dog Lucky was hit by a car.

Example from Tell-Tale Heart: The narrator was never kinder to the old man then in the week before he killed him.  

2.

Dramatic Irony : when the reader/audience knows something that a character 

doesn’t

Ex. 

giving careful attention audacity

Example from Tell-Tale Heart: The heart beat that tells the reader that the character is feeling guilt.

3.

4.   How does an author use sensory details to describe the atmosphere or mood of a short story? pail blue eye with the film is a good example because it drives the narrator mad. 

5.  In what ways do our choice of words create specific atmosphere and 

characterization?  the choice of words makes a image in your mind. details. 

III. Literary Elements

6. Mood, or atmosphere, is the overall feeling in the story. How would you describe the mood in this story? What details does Poe use to create the mood? dark and jumpy a manic . When the story first starts the narrator repeats himself often and talks fast.  

7. Symbolism: What does the heartbeat noise symbolize in the story? Provide evidence from the story. The old man and how the narrator is going mad with guilt. I felt that I must scream or die!—and now—again!—

hark! louder! louder! louder! louder!— 

“Villains!” I shrieked, “dissemble no more! I admit the 

deed!—tear up the planks!—here, here!—it is the beating of 

his hideous heart!” 

8. How does first paragraph foreshadow, or hint at, the events of the story? Be specific (use a quote)!It shows that he is nervous and good at hearing.  TRUE!—nervous—very, very dreadfully nervous I had been

and  am;  but why will you say  that I  am mad? The  disease 

had sharpened my senses—not destroyed—not dulled them.

9. The final paragraph in the story builds to a kind of mad climax. How does the writer use words and punctuation to create? he uses dashes and semi colons to continue thoughts  

10.  What does the narrator repeatedly claim about himself? Why?
That he isnt mad, because he is mad. 


“The Black Cat” 

11.  An allusion is a reference to a person, place, or thing.  What allusion exists in the story?  that the cat's name was pluto. 

12.  From what point of view is the story told?  What effect does this create? first person, that you are looking through the eyes of the narrator 

13.  What’s the significance of the title animal?  Explain. black cat, is bad luck and his wife believes that the cat is bad luck, also the cat's name is pluto which is the greek word for Hades. 

14.  What foreshadowing could you find in the story?  cat's name is pluto which is the greek word for Hades. that the wife thinks it bad luck, that he has loves animals his whole life. and that he is kind to animals 

15.  What similarities do you see in this story and “The Tell-Tale Heart.” both narrators feel guilty in a way that they almost want to get caught, the police have to rip up parts of houses to get to the bodies