Edgar Allan Poe’s remarkable work “The Tell-Tale Heart” is widely known by the scholars of the literary society. The specific topic of this short story can be discussed from various points of view, but it is clear that Poe was able to create an impactful work. The main arguments towards the development of the contemporary short story will be discussed in this essay, and the similarities between these visions and the statements in “The Tell-Tale Heart” will be described.
Artists’ expectations of future changes in the poetic expressions are often insightful in their nature. As such, Edgar Poe presents his understanding of the short stories’ advancements in the essay “The Tale and Its Effect” (Poe, 1842). One of the main arguments provided regards the format of these works, stating that demand has risen for the brief prose tales (Poe, 1842). Such writing is seen as more favorable for the audience, as they possess higher integrity and immersion (Poe, 1842). In my opinion, it is an exceptionally valid statement, as the conciseness of the work allows the reader to focus on the narrative entirely. Longer novels are usually intended to be read in more than one sitting, which is more troublesome and requires additional motivation.
The story “The Tell-Tale Heart” is a magnificent example of Poe’s visions. The narrative of this work is clear and concise, and each action is presented in a way that is understandable but not too descriptive. The beginning of the story is short and engaging, advancing strictly to the main events (Poe, 1998). The author does not stall to provide any additional explanations on the antagonist or the old man, but the narrative is still grasping the reader’s attention. However, the author’s description of dialogue with the policemen and the main character is a little prolonged, failing to achieve the overall goal of brevity. The sound that the man hears after the officer’s arrival is discussed very thoroughly, as well as the hero’s thoughts.
In conclusion, Poe’s work on “The Tell-Tale Heart” can be called exemplary. The overall sense of anxiety and curiosity captivates the reader from the very start. The writer presents the story in a quick, hurrying manner, which does not let the audience divert their attention elsewhere. The events are described masterfully, with enough detail, and the antagonist’s descent into insanity is incredibly dark and alluring.
References
Poe, E. A. (1842). The tale and its effect. In N. Hawthorne (Ed.), Twice-told tales (p. 725). American Stationers.
Poe, E. A. (1998). The tell-tale heart. Wonder Publishing.