The Tell-Tale Heart

"And have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over-acuteness of the sense?" First published in 1843, The Tell-Tale Heart is a story of murder and madness in which the author poineers the trope of the unreliable narrator. Driven to madness by the chilling, "vulture-like" eye of an old man, the unnamed narrator of the story tells how they meticulously planned and executed the perfect crime—and now sets out to prove their sanity to the audience by calmly recounting the details of the murder. But even after dismembering the body and concealing it under the floorboards, an undeniable sound echoes through the house. The pounding of a tell-tale heart. In this gripping tale of psychological terror, Poe explores the fine line between sanity and madness and proves that a guilty conscience can be the most haunting torment of all. Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) was an American writer, poet, editor and literary critic known for his dark, atmospheric tales and haunting poetry. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American literature, Poe helped shape the horror and science-fiction genres and is widely credited with inventing detective fiction in his 1841 short story, Murders in the Rue Morgue. Despite a life marked by personal tragedy and financial hardship, Poe produced a number of enduring classics such as The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Fall of the House of Usher, and since his somewhat mysterious death, he and his writings have had a wide-ranging influence in popular culture. In 1946, the Mystery Writers of America established the annual Edgar award, which honour the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, and film