The document provides an analysis of literary elements in Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Tell Tale Heart". It defines and gives examples of internal and external conflict, overstatement and understatement, theme, symbolism, evidence and citations found in the story. The theme discussed is guilt, and the beating heart is analyzed as a symbol representing the main character's guilt over killing the old man.

1. “The Tell Tale Heart”
By: Edgar Allan Poe
By: Edgar Allan Poe

2. Internal Conflict
• An internal conflict is a battle within a
character’s own mind.
• How did you decide what you wanted to
eat for lunch today ?

3. • “Why would they not be gone? I paced the
floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if
exited to fury by the observations of the
men - but the noise steadily increased. Oh
God! What could I do?”
• This is an internal conflict because the
argument the character is having is
happening inside his own head.

4. External Conflict
• An external conflict is the battle between a
character in a story and any outside force.
• An outside force can include anything from
another character to nature.
• For example, extreme heat is an external
force.

5. • “And I did this for seven long nights- every
night just at midnight- but I found the eye
always closed; and so it was impossible to
do the work.”
• This is an external conflict between the
main character and time.

6. Overstatement
• An overstatement is when a statement is
exaggerated.
• “I have a ton of homework”
• This is an example of overstatement
because literally they do not have a ton, as
in 2,000 pounds, of homework.

7. • “I kept quite still and said nothing. For a
whole hour I did not move a muscle...”
• This is an example of overstatement
because it is impossible not to move a
muscle for an hour. The author is just
trying to convey that the main character
kept very, very still.

8. Understatement
• An understatement is used to make a fact
of a situation seem less important than it
really is.
• Saying, “It only rained a little,” after
realizing your house flooded would be an
understatement.

9. • “...- I made up my mind to take the life of
the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye
forever. Now at this point. You fancy me
mad.”
• This is an understatement, at this point in
the story the reader begins to think that
the main character is much more than mad.

10. Theme
• A theme is the main thought or idea of a
story.
• A theme is the idea the author is trying to
get across to his or her readers.
• A theme is usually an abstract idea that is
recurring.

11. What is the theme in
“The Tell Tale Heart?”
• The theme in “The Tell Tale Heart” is guilt.
• Edgar Allen Poe is trying to convince the
readers that the main character feels guilty
for killing the old man.
• There are many parts in the story where
Poe wants the reader to understand that
even though the main character seems
crazy he still feels remorse.

12. Evidence
• “ I loved the old man. He never wronged me. He
had never given me insult. For his gold I had no
desire. I think it was his eye!”
• “Meantime, the hellish tattoo of the heart
increased. It grew quicker and quicker, and louder
and louder every instant. The old man’s terror
must have been extreme! It grew louder, I say
louder every moment! - do you mark me well I
have told you that I am nervous: so I am.”
• “Villains,” I shrieked, “dissemble no more! I admit
the deed! - tear up the planks! here, here! - It is
the beating of his hideous heart!”

13. Symbolism
• A symbol can be anything that stands for
something else.
• Uncle Sam is often used to symbolize
America.
• Often in literature symbols have a deeper
meaning.

14. Symbolism in “The Tell
Tale Heart”
• What does the beating heart symbolize?
• “Almighty God! - no, no! They heard!-
they suspected ! - they knew! - they were
making a mockery of my horror- this I
thought and this I think. But anything was
better than this agony! Anything was more
tolerable than this derision. I could bear
those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt
that I must scream or die! and now- again!
- hark! louder! louder! louder! louder!”

15. Guilt
• Through out the story the beating heart
symbolizes guilt.
• This contributes to the theme and creates
suspense when building up to the end
where the main character can no longer
take the guilt.
• “Villains!” I shrieked, “dissemble no more! I
admit the deed” - tear up the planks! here,
here! - It is the beating of his hideous
heart!”

16. Citations
• Poe, E. A. (2008 ). The Tell Tale Heart
(Vols. Volume II ). Project Gutenberg .