How Does Edgar Allan Poe Use Repetition In The Tell Tale Heart

In the short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart” Edgar Allan Poe interests the reader through the use of literary devices such as symbolism, dramatic irony, and repetition. To begin, Edgar Allan Poe uses symbolism to engage the reader. In the following quote, the narrator is talking to the audience about why he killed the old man he cared for.
As stated on page 145, “One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture… Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold”. To be clear, the reader understands that the narrator is mentally unstable, and whenever he sees the eye it only makes him more insane. For this reason the eye is a symbol of insanity. The author’s use of symbolism engages the reader since it helps build the narrator’s conflict with the old man. The reader keeps reading to understand why the narrator did what he did.
Continuing, the author uses repetition to interest the reader. In the ensuing quote, the narrator is explaining to the readers how he premeditated his crime. As stated on page 147, “So I opened it- you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily…”. To elaborate, the reader know the narrator is unstable. The narrator is now using “stealthily” to try and convince the readers otherwise. Poe’s use of repetition adds another layer of dimension to the narrator. The reader then

In the following quote, the narrator is accusing the reader of believing he is insane. As stated on page 145, “True!- nervous- very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?”. To elucidate, the reader becomes shocked by the narrator breaking the 4th wall and accusing them of being prejudiced. For this reason, it’s dramatic irony because the reader is getting the inside scoop from a character in the short story. The author’s use of dramatic irony enthralls the reader because they become singled out by a character. The reader keeps reading to find out more information about the