The Tell-Tale Heart

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

Consider the genre of Gothic literature. When was this literary form created, and when was it most popular? What were some of its features? Which authors are associated with it? What was the genre’s effect on subsequent waves of literature?

Teaching Suggestion: This question orients students with the literary context of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story as an example of Gothic literature. Originally popular in the late 18th to mid-19th century, Gothic literature often focused on haunted settings, combining supernatural elements with a tone of thrill and psychological disturbance. Occasionally referred to as the “Father of Gothic Literature,” Poe’s work combined the elements of mysterious settings with morbid and macabre plots through the eyes of tormented narrators. “The Tell-Tale Heart” is a classic example, as Poe explores the dichotomy between conscious and unconscious decisions and motivations.

• This entry from Britannica provides a brief overview of the novel in Gothic literature.
• This resource from the University of Alabama’s Digital Humanities Center provides a succinct overview of Edgar Allan Poe and his connection to Gothic literature.

Short Activity

Edgar Allan Poe is considered one of the most famous authors of Gothic literature. Working in small groups, select one of Poe’s stories to read, analyze, and share with the class. As you prepare your presentation, include a summary of the story and identify elements of the Gothic literature genre within it. Does your chosen story possess the themes of The Line Between Madness and Rationality and The Balance Between Fear and Power? If so, how? Finally, in an in-class discussion, reflect on the similarities between Poe’s stories.

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Activity invites students to explore Poe’s literary canon in the context of a group presentation. During his short 40 years, Poe authored more than 70 works, including short stories and poetry. His influence on subsequent writers and literary movements was immense; in fact, his works are said to have inspired American, British, and Russian authors, as well as the French Symbolism literary movement. It may be helpful to provide students with access to the resources below as a starting point for research and presentations.

• This article from the Poetry Foundation explores the effect of Poe’s canon on subsequent generations of writers.
• This article from the National Park Service provides an overview of Poe’s works and background, as well as links to further resources regarding his influence on American literature.

Differentiation Suggestion: For more advanced classes, the following question may be added to the above Short Activity: Poe is widely regarded as having affected subsequent literary movements and writers with his unique style. Select one writer or literary movement and analyze the effect of Poe’s approach on their works. What are the similarities between Poe and your chosen author or movement?

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the story.

Should a protagonist or narrator reveal identifying details (i.e., gender, age, nationality) about themselves to the reader? Why or why not? Which is a more pleasurable reading experience for you, and why?

Teaching Suggestion: This Personal Connection Prompt invites students to consider an element of Poe’s story: the ambiguity of the narrator. Poe’s narrator does not reveal key information about themself, leaving the reader to surmise the gender, age, and general background of the person speaking. While this adds an element of suspense, it also suggests that issues regarding mental health and power balance are universally shared and experienced. This prompt directly connects to the Discussion/Analysis Prompt.