The Tell-Tale Heart

Front

What is the main theme of 'The Tell-Tale Heart'?

Back

The main theme is the conflict between sanity and insanity, exploring guilt and the effects of paranoia.

Front

What literary device is used when the narrator hears the beating heart?

Back

This is an example of symbolism, representing guilt and conscience.

Front

Define 'narrator' in the context of a story.

Back

The narrator is the person telling the story, who may be a character within it or an outside observer.

Front

What is a simile?

Back

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using 'like' or 'as'.

Front

What does the beating heart symbolize in the story?

Back

It symbolizes the narrator's guilt and the inescapable nature of his conscience.

Front

How does the narrator's perception of reality change throughout the story?

Back

The narrator becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional, leading to his confession.

Front

What is the significance of the old man's eye in the story?

Back

The old man's eye symbolizes the narrator's irrational fears and obsession.

Front

What is the climax of 'The Tell-Tale Heart'?

Back

The climax occurs when the narrator kills the old man and hides the body.

Front

How does Edgar Allan Poe create suspense in the story?

Back

Poe uses pacing, detailed descriptions, and the narrator's mental state to build suspense.

Front

What role do the police officers play in the story?

Back

The police officers represent authority and the narrator's ultimate downfall due to his guilt.