“Tell Tale Heart” Close
Reading/Analysis
Focus Passage
1:
Now this is the point. You
fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You
should have seen how wisely I proceeded—with what caution—
with what foresight—with what dissimulation I went to work! I was
never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before
I killed him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the
latch of his door and opened it— oh, so gently! And then, when I
had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark
lantern, all closed, closed, so that no light shone out, and then I
thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how
cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly—very, very slowly, so
that I might not disturb the old man’s sleep. It took me an
hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could
see him as he lay upon his bed. Ha! Would a madman have been
so wise as this?
∙ The narrator claims to have
several qualities that insane people don’t have. Circle the
qualities that he mentions. In your opinion, does having
those qualities prove his sanity—or not?
Explain.
Focus Passage
2
It was
open—wide, wide open—and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw
it with perfect distinctness—all a dull blue, with a hideous
veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones; but I could
see nothing else of the old man’s face or person, for I had
directed the ray, as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned
spot.
And now have I not told you
that what you mistake for madness is but overacuteness of the
senses?—now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick
sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I knew that
sound well too. It was the beating of the old man’s heart. It
increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier
into courage.
∙ Underline
three visual images, details that help you picture what is
happening. Then, circle three sound images, details that help
you hear what is happening.
Focus Passage
3:
No doubt I now grew very
pale—but I talked more fluently and with a heightened voice. Yet
the sound increased—and what could I do? It was a low, dull,
quick sound—much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in
cotton. I gasped for breath—and yet the officers heard it
not. I talked more quickly—more vehemently; but the noise
steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a
high key and with violent gesticulations, but the noise steadily
increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro
with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observation
of the men—but the noise steadily increased. Oh God! what
could I do? I foamed—I raved—I swore! I swung the chair upon
which I had been sitting and grated it upon the boards, but the
noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew
louder—louder—louder!
∙ What is
happening to the narrator (lines 175–189)? What does he think he
hears? What’s your explanation for the sound he
hears?
- Please Help Me Asap Tell Tale Heart Close Reading Analysis Focus Passage 1 Now This Is The Point You Fancy Me Mad 1 (43.15 KiB) Viewed 37 times