Tell-Tale Heart
“The Tell-Tale Heart” is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, a famous American author. In the story, an unnamed narrator explains that he is not insane by narrating how he plotted to kill an old man. According to the narrator, madmen cannot plan, but in his case, he laid out a plan on how he would kill the old man. Based on the vivid description used by the narrator, it is evident that he is telling the reader an accurate account of what happened as opposed to what he imagined happened. Therefore, the narrator is reliable since he vividly explains why he killed the old man.
The narrator says, “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” (Poe, 2002). Therefore, the narrator had premeditated to kill the old man. At first, the narrator seems unreliable since he wanted to kill the old man because of the “evil eye.” However, as the story progresses, it is clear that the narrator is reliable because he plans to kill the man well ahead before executing his plan.
The narrator is reliable since his conscience pushed him to confess the crime. The narrator seems unattached from reality; he has an active conscience which bars him from concealing the murder. Although the narrator had managed to convince the policemen, the sound in his head, which he imagines to be the heartbeat of the old man, makes him confess. Therefore, the narrator is reliable, based on his inclination towards honesty.
In conclusion, although the narrator seems unattached to reality, he is reliable. The narrator displays the ability to plan an execution, portraying his sanity. Also, the conscience of the narrator pushes him to confess. Thus, the narrator has a knack for truth-telling.
Reference
Poe, E. A., & Buchta, W. (2002). The tell-tale heart. Wolfgang Buchta.