It is mentioned that the old man’s “vulture” eye becomes the narrator’s
main reason to kill the old man. This reason is considered irrational. Therefore, it can be seen that the narrator is unreliable through his extratextual sign.
“He had the eye of a vulture --a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees --very
gradually --I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.” Poe,1992:92
From series of evidence above supported by the unreliable narrator theory, the narrator in Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” is declared unreliable. The Narrator
keeps telling the story in confidence and in detail manner while his actions say otherwise. This is proof that the narrator is truly an unreliable narrator.
3. “Proud” and “Confident”
Aside from the unreliable quality, the narrator is also presented as a proud and a confident person. It can be seen from his tone when he tells his action in a
detailed manner. He tells his action in proud manner.
“True --Nervous --very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my
senses --not destroyed --not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard
many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken And observe how healthily --
how calmly I can tell…”Poe,1992:92
Even in the night of the murders, the narrator tells his story heroically. “Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door
. …
Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers -- of my sagacity.”
Poe,1992:93
This manner of telling a story is proven as the sign of the narrator’s
confidence. However, the narrator’s pride and confidence is perverted. The
narrator’s pride and confidence is shown in bizarre situations such as in his recount of his stalking incidents, his actions of murder, and during the police
officer visit. “In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed
over him. I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done. But, for many minutes, the hea
rt beat on with a muffled sound.” Poe,1992:94. The narrator’s tone of telling his stories suggests that he is truly insane. A
sane person will tell similar stories with guilt and anxiety. However, the narrator is not. Therefore, he is “proud” and “confident” in his insane behavior.
B. Symbolism in the story
Different forms of symbols may occur in a story. Generally, symbol is an attribution of object to another object which reveals different, deeper, and more
significant meaning. However, an action of a person, a particular event, or spoken words may contain symbolic value. For
example, “kiss” is a symbol of love relationship, “smile” as a symbol of friendship.
Symbols do shift their meanings depending on the context they are used in. “A chain”, for example, may stand for “unity” as well as “imprisonment”. Thus,
symbolic meaning of an object or an action is understood by when, where and how it is used. It also depends on who reads them.
Poe’s thrilling and gloomy style of writing can be seen in various choices of words. In “The Tell-Tale-Heart” , Poe’s employs series of symbols which have
significant impact in the story.
