The Most Amazing Response to Literature Ever™ (don't be jealous)

"It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night." This maddening quote is from the short story The Tell-Tale Heart, written by Edgar Allen-Poe. In this story a madman becomes horribly angry with an old man's "Evil Eye" and thinks of the idea to kill the old man, forever ridding himself of the "Evil Eye". Will he kill the man, is he that mad? In this short story, Poe is masterful with combining the plot, imagery, characterization to make a horrifying story.

Edgar Allen-Poe is great with making an absolutely startling plot. I never knew what was going to happen next. "Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed!-tear up the planks-here, here!-it is the beating of his hideous heart". This quote really shows the whole story, it shows how mad he really is, how crazy he is. That writing is so good, and also it completely changes the story, you never see it coming. "I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him." This quote foreshadows the story, and after reading this quote you really want to know what's going to happen next, you want to know why he kills. Also, it is interesting how he fakes you out. The man talks about how he killed the man as if it was not a big deal, but actually he feels very guilty about it and later is arrested. His plot writing is absolutely amazing.

When you read the Tell Tale Heart, it was almost like watching a movie, you could see the characters, that's how good Poe was with showing imagery. "He had the eye of a vulture-a pale blue eye, with a film over it." When you read this quote, you exactly see what Poe was seeing. He almost burns the picture into your mind, I just see the horrible eye staring at me when i read this quote. "I saw it with perfect distinctness-all a dull blue, with a videous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones, but I could see nothing else of the old man's face or person, for I had directed the ray as if by instinct precisely upon the damned spot." Again Poe is addressing the creepy eye, and this quote just makes it more visible. The Eye is a big part of why this is a horror story, when you close your eyes you can see the blue eye staring back at you. I can almost feel my bones turning to ice. Poe's imagery is a big reason why this story is so good, you actually see what he is talking about. These aren't just the two with imagery, they all have it.

Poe is great with characterization, each one of his characters is diverse in their own way. "True! nervous, very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?" Poe starts his story with this quote, and in the first place it completely catches you off guard, makes you think what is wrong with this character. This quote completely and perfectly describes Poe's character, and maybe even Poe himself. You have to stop and think, what is wrong with this man. "You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me." This quote amazes me. How mad this man really is, but how cunning he really is. This character is so unique, he believes being mad is a good thing. Poe really makes you think. His characterization is so interesting, even just having five or six characters. Each character is different and is perfect for his story.

Edgar Allen-Poe's horrifying story is magnificent, while it scares you. His plot is maddening, his imagery makes you think movie, and each character is diverse and different. I loved this story, I recommend it to anyone.
-Cedar Hobbs