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Tell Tale Heart Paranoia

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Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" is a classic short story that explores the themes of paranoia, auditory hallucinations, and megalomania. This story is a masterpiece of psychological horror, in which Poe masterfully builds tension and suspense throughout the narrative. The protagonist's growing obsession with the old man's eye leads to a descent into madness, as he becomes consumed by fear and guilt. Paranoia is a prevalent theme in "The Tell-Tale Heart." The protagonist's fear and distrust of the old man is evident from the beginning of the story. He becomes increasingly paranoid about the man's eye, which he sees as evil, and is driven to madness by his own obsession. He is convinced that the old man is watching him and that his heart is audible to everyone, leading him to feel constantly threatened and on edge. This theme of paranoia is a reflection of the protagonist's distorted perception of reality and serves to further heighten the reader's sense of unease. …show more content…

The sound becomes louder and more intense until it consumes his thoughts and drives him to confess his crime. The auditory hallucinations serve to highlight the protagonist's growing insanity and to create a sense of fear and tension for the reader. Megalomania is also present in "The Tell-Tale Heart." The protagonist sees himself as superior to the old man, who he perceives as weak and vulnerable. He is driven by a desire for power and control, and is convinced that he can get away with the old man's murder. However, his megalomania ultimately leads to his downfall, as he becomes consumed by guilt and paranoia and is driven to confess his crime. This theme of megalomania serves to highlight the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of giving into one's darkest

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