The Tell-Tale Heart Analysis

The narrator, who insists on his sanity, describes his plan to murder an old man because of his unsettling eye. Over several nights, he meticulously prepares and finally kills the old man, hiding the body under the floorboards. When the police arrive to investigate a scream, the narrator confidently entertains them, but his guilt manifests as the sound of the old man's beating heart, leading him to confess.

What is the primary emotion the narrator expresses at the beginning of the story?

• Sadness

• Anger

• Nervousness

• Joy

What does the narrator claim has been sharpened by his disease?

• His hearing

• His sense of smell

• His sight

• His touch

What feature of the old man drives the narrator to madness?

• His wealth

• His voice

• His behavior

• His eye

How does the narrator describe the old man's eye?

• Bright and cheerful

• Dark and mysterious

• Pale blue with a film

• Green and lively

What time does the narrator visit the old man's room each night?

• 3 AM

• 6 AM

• Midnight

• 10 PM

How does the narrator ensure he does not wake the old man during his nightly visits?

• He uses a sleeping potion

• He plays soothing music

• He moves very slowly

• He wears soft shoes

On the eighth night, what causes the old man to wake up?

• A loud noise

• A sudden light

• The narrator's laughter

• The narrator's thumb slipping

What does the narrator do after the old man wakes up?

• He talks to the old man

• He waits silently

• He runs away

• He turns on the light

How does the narrator conceal the old man's body?

• Buries it in the garden

• Throws it in the river

• Hides it under the floorboards

• Burns it

What is the narrator's reaction when the police arrive?

• He panics

• He faints

• He is confident

• He hides