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Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart: An Analysis of American Gothic Literature

   

Added on  2023-04-23

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Running head: ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
English Assignment
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Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart: An Analysis of American Gothic Literature_1

1ENGLISH ASSIGNMENTS
Introduction
Aiming to understand the aspects of American literature, this short essay will endeavor to
shed light on Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”. The following paragraphs will endeavor
to argue for the fact that the characters and themes in the short story is reflective of the American
culture and history. The following paragraphs will also endeavor to provide ample textual
instances and justifications.
Discussion
A closer look at Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” will reveal that the short story
is emblematic of the various nuances vested in the culture of America. A closer examination of
the underlying theme of the dark and unexplored aspect of humanity is representative of the
positive and futuristic visions of the state of America. This is vested in the section of the text
where the old man is murdered and his dismembered body parts are hidden.
Yes, He was dead, Dead as a Stone...” (Poe 66).
This depicts the opposite nature of the ideal state of America and the American Dream. In
addition to this, the story can also be seen as an instance of American Gothic literature. Further,
the theme of moral sense of guilt is also reflective of the American cultural beliefs in morality. In
the text, the theme of moral repercussion is manifested in the section where the narrator feels the
moral conscience revolting against the prevalent situation. It can be mentioned that this theme of
underlying guilt related to mortality is emblematic of the underlying cultural and moral
implications of the American age. It has to be said that the themes of the story is connected to the
setting depicted throughout the narrative. The underlying and important theme of terror and
horror is also reflective of the manner in which the literary cultural history of America started
Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart: An Analysis of American Gothic Literature_2

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