Tone Analysis: "The Tell-Tale Heart"

What tone is used in paragraph 2?

I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture-a pale blue eye, with 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.

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CCSS.L.8.5A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

In the next paragraph, his tone changes. Read the excerpt and then chose the adjective that best describes this tone.

Now this is the point. 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!

• terrifying

• convincing

• exciting

• tense

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CCSS.RL.8.4

Read this excerpt from paragraph 3 and consider how the narrator is feeling when he says this. What three adjectives best describe his tone on the lines below?

Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly-very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his bed! Ha!

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CCSS.RL.8.4

Write one adjective to describe the tone of the excerpt below.

And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he has passed the night.

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CCSS.RL.8.4

Write one adjective to describe the tone of the excerpt below.

I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart. I knew that he had been lying awake ever since the first slight noise, when he had turned in the bed. His fears had been ever since growing upon him.

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CCSS.L.8.5A

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RL.8.4

Write one adjective to describe the tone of the excerpt below.

It was open-wide, wide open- and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness-all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones; but I could see nothing else of the old man's face or person...

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CCSS.RL.8.4

Write one adjective to describe the tone of the excerpt below.

The old man's hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room.

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CCSS.RL.8.4

Write one adjective to describe the tone of the excerpt below.

I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye-not even his-could have detected any thing wrong. There was nothing to wash out-no stain of any kind-no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary for that. A tub had caught all-ha! ha!

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CCSS.RL.8.4

Write one adjective to describe the tone of the excerpt below.

I smiled,- for what had I to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned, was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house. I bade them search-search well. I led them, at length, to his chamber.

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CCSS.RL.8.4

Write one adjective to describe the tone of the excerpt below.

"Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed!-tear up the planks!-here, here!-it is the beating of his hideous heart!"

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CCSS.RL.8.4