hey i need to write an essay about the the themes revealed in the tell tale heart, but i need to be able to link the theme to something outside of the text, probably society or current events. i was going to say it reveals the idea of perspective, that the actions that seem crazy to the reader seem perfectly fine to the main character. one mans trash is another mans treasure sought of thing. but then i relised how airy fairy that was so i was wondering if anyone could help me out with a better one?

thanks!

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2004

Answers

Argh. Sounds more like theology than literary criticism, that is adding on layers of meaning not in the text or intent.

You could relate it to Poe's development of the Byronic hero, a purely natural exploartion of the "heroism" of lone, extremist visionaries above all morality. All Poe's murderers feel little sympathy or evoke little sympathy for the innocent victim. It is all about them and that terrible, exciting experience, that self-destruction, that boasting and pride. Milton's Satan is the unintentional birthing point of much of this, and Byron himself of course.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2004

uncontrollable forces can drive people to commit violent acts.... The evil eye... some people didn't know that cataracts were part of old age...

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2004