The Tell-Tale Heart Literary Analysis

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In “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe, the narrator has clearly lost grip of reality and has slipped into a mindset that is best described as insane. The narrator opens the story defending his actions, especially in regards to his sanity. While he feels as if he is completely sane, his own words seem to indicate otherwise. “The disease had sharpened my senses,” (par 1) indicates that he realizes his grip on reality has slipped. While at the same time trying to convince himself he is still in control of his mind and acting conscientiously. “How then am I mad? Hearken! And observe how healthily-how calmly, I can tell you the whole story.” (par 1). Haunted day and night by the thoughts of killing the old man, the narrator

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