The Tell-Tale Heart and the Labovian Theory

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The Tell Tale Heart and the Labovian Theory

The Labovian theory of a developed narrative contains six mandatory

components. These components help the reader, or listener to a broader

understanding of the thoughts and motivation of the internal narrator and

the external storyteller. The abstract gives a representation about the

story. The orientation draws a picture to familiarize the reader/listener

of the necessary w's; who, what, when, where. The complicating action is

the turn of events on which the story hinges. The resolution determines the

outcome and usually leaves the reader/listener aware of a feeling of

closure. The evaluation is the most essential component of the Labovian

theory. It permeates throughout the narrative in hopeful attempts to keep

the interest of the reader/listener peaked. The coda compliments the

evaluation and brings the narrator and the reader/listener back together on

common ground in order to bring the story to a close. Edgar Allan Poe's

short story of a passionless crime undone by the heart incorporates the

Labovian components. "The Tell-Tale Heart" is a masterly written

narrative, full of subtle nuances quick to deceive the senses. Poe sends

the reader spinning into a world of symbolism, questioning the art of

madness, and fearing the depravity of reason.

The "The Tell-Tale Heart" is, at a glance, seemingly about a man

plotting to kill another man in cold blood. Looking further into the words,

the reader can find a story of a man obsessed with senses and the ability

to have complete control over them. The narrator uses reason to overwhelm

the morality of his actions. His obsession takes over his whole being,

thus bringing on the madness which over powers his world. The focus of

the abstract is first seen as the narrator describes his idea as,

"haunting him day and night"(226). Only an obsessed person could let

something get to the point where they cannot think of anything else. Poe

uses strategic wording to pinpoint the abstract. Poe blatantly announces

the point, and the narrator confesses, "Madmen know nothing. But you

should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded . . .

"(226). He was a coldly calculating man, obsessed that reason can conquer

any sense, which in the end he finds is a never-ending battle.

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