What is more, in ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ , the narrator’s use of unnatural language hints at the abnormal mental state of the narrator: He describes the old man’s eye as ‘Evil’ or ’Damned’- damned in this case meaning satanic or cursed. The reader, therefore, has cause to doubt the sanity and stability of the narrator and wonders how the story will conclude.
Furthermore, the narrator in ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ enjoys recounting in gruesome detail, and appears to be proud of his act of murder. “I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph”. Again, this creates doubt within the reader’s mind concerning the narrator’s fragile mental state. Sane people would not be proud of killing and then dismembering a seemingly innocent old man. He even uses his coldly premeditated actions as evidence of his mental fitness, which makes us increasingly doubtful of his sanity.
The first person view is of vital importance to the plot in ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ and ’The Cask of Amontillado’, especially so in ‘The Cask of Amontillado’. Consequently, the reader wishes to delve deeper into the mind of the murderer, and find out his thoughts, and motives, hence suspense is achieved.
Likewise, in ‘The Cask of Amontillado’, the use of ambiguous description creates mystery surrounding the narrator’s motives for killing Fortunato beyond the stated ‘thousand injuries’ (which sound rather trivial). Instead of the telling the entire story, the reader is expected to endeavour to find out the motive for him or her selves.
Also in ‘The Tell Tale Heart’, a lack of descriptive imagery creates mystery surrounding the settings and characters. For example, the narrator never names himself, nor does he name his victim. This creates vagueness inside the readers mind and as a reader you can’t help asking questions such as: Who are these people? Where is the story set? This ambiguous and vague atmosphere keeps the reader in suspense. I thought it was a brilliant way to attract reader’s attention and also give you some space to imagine.
The settings of many stories of Edgar Allen Poe are classic gothic places such as: Abandoned castles, labyrinthine catacombs etc. Such places create suspense and an atmosphere of mystery by using shadows and smells to hide things. Also, the reader often subconsciously associates these places with mystery or the unknown.
In ‘The Cask of Amontillado’, dramatic irony also creates great tension and suspense. For example, Montresor says “I drink to your long life” or "Come," I said, with decision, we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchresi “; this is evidence of his (Montresor’s) deceptive nature. The reader therefore has cause to doubt anything the narrator says and if he is ‘telling everything’ and not hiding something, again creating suspense.
In ’ The Tell-Tale Heart’, rhetorical questions are used by Poe to great effect to demonstrate the narrator’s growing fear, frustration and the tense atmosphere of the story: “What could I do? … Why would they not be gone? ... What could I do? ” These questions convey an atmosphere of frantic frustration as he asks them [rhetorical questions] frequently in-between deviant bursts of dialogue: The audience is confronted by a vague, tense and confusing atmosphere. I loved this passage for its raw tension and intensity.
In addition, Poe creates a tense and disturbing atmosphere by using dramatic changes of pace through varied sentence/clause lengths. Near the climax of ‘The Tell Tale Heart’ the pace of the story becomes considerably slower “But, even yet I refrained and stood still, I scarcely breathed, I held the lantern motionless…Mean while the hellish tattoo increased.” Poe allows time for suspense and tension to develop before arriving at ‘the chilling climax’. Its intended effect on the audience is to make the reader increasingly curious over what is going to happen next.
Symbolism is used by Poe throughout his stories: For example, in ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ the moment when Montresor and his unfortunate victim, Fortunato, descend into the catacombs is symbolic, as Montresor can be interpreted as a sort of Hades –like figure leading Fortunato into the underworld. Foreshadowing his demise. Another example of Poe using symbolism in his work can be observed in ‘The Tell Tale Heart’. The sound of a ‘watch enveloped in cotton’ could also create an image in the reader’s mind of a clock counting down to the ultimate demise of the old man. All this symbolism creates a collective signal of uncertainty and anticipation in the reader’s mind.
Poe achieved his intense build-up of suspense and tension by using a multitude of grammatical, structural and linguistic techniques. The sheer intensity and proficiency with which he created suspense is truly remarkable. In my opinion, ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ and ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ are some of the best, and most indepth, explorations inside the insane darkness of a psychotic killer’s mind.