The protagonist in the story Tell Tale Heart written by Edgar Allen Poe, is the tale of a insane lunatic madman that murders an old man for no justified reason. The protagonist is introduced to the reader as a delusional man; Poe represents this character as the insane fugitives of the criminal world. The man is obsessed in his own actions, he also stutters a lot giving the reader the impression that he is insane. The protagonist compared with Sherlock Holmes has many different perspectives, as he is more irrational and more obsessive. However, Poe gives the character a lot of emotional value, the protagonist is a rabid human being who murders an old man for his mystical and his imaginary vulture eye. Poe describes the protagonist as an irrational criminal, who murders another human being with no justification but in the end his guilt drives him to confess.
Doyle’s language structure differs a lot from Poe’s. Doyle’s vocabulary is as complex as Poe’s is, but Poe’s is much more emotive. Doyle usually applies very long sentences, whereas Poe utilizes a combination of short repetitive sentences (usually) which creates a notion to the reader that the protagonist is insane, and also some long sentences for his explanations. Doyle bases his story much on the rational observations and deductions; he uses Holmes as a rational, logical being that can solve any problem. Poe usually applies more emotion than ration, which is a huge contrast, as the protagonist is much more emotive as Poe describes him as rabid and insane. Doyle uses a variation of sentence lengths, but longer sentences are of a preference. The language of Doyle is also much more articulate that that of the protagonist ‘A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a realistic effect.’ Doyle uses such language that immediately shows a contrast between Holmes and Watson. With Holmes he uses language that implies him being a super human and so knowledgeable that everything surrounding him seems so simplistic. Doyle also provides Holmes with the most complex and sophisticated vocabulary, with strong meanings and with no vague explanations ‘Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent,’ which is perfect to sustain him as the lead character. However, Watson is almost a shadow of Holmes with nothing but utmost respect for his colleague. Watson is also the narrator of the stories, which indicates that he can't be as phenomenal as his colleague can’t. So Doyle can’t have Watson with too many complex sentences and reasonable explanations, as it would produce a clash between the main character and narrator. Doyle manipulates Watson as the reader itself with mostly bewildered and vague sentences ‘ And yet I am not convinced.’ The author very cleverly writes this, because it creates a contrast between a highly intellectual Holmes and usually discombobulated Watson.
On the other hand, Poe manipulates more stuttered and insecure sentences, which provides the reader with information of the insane protagonist ‘True- nervous-very very dreadfully nervous,’ is the manner in which almost any delusional murderer would speak in. Poe also indulges the reader by writing that the protagonist is also very irrational ‘ It was his eye, his vulture eye.’ This imaginary and unjustified eye causes him to commit murder. The language is very emotional, as the protagonist mainly has two emotions, obsessive and insecure which are composed in Poe’s story. Neither writer applies similes or metaphors to their stories.
However, the theme of Doyle is to use very theoretical language at the usually the beginning, with Holmes and Watson discussing on world affairs ‘ If we could fly out of that window hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the rooftops, and peep in at the queer things going on.’ Whereas, Poe uses the protagonist to recall his story from the start.
Doyle and Poe share similarities in the structure of the story, as Poe’s Tell Tale Heart and Doyle’s A Case Of Identity, both of who have based these stories on crime.
Doyle usually starts his stories of with a casual and formal conversation between Holmes ans Watson, discussing on world affairs. Watson gives his opinions on the past mysteries. However, Poe’s Tell Tale Heart, starts off with the protagonist recalling his past. It’s written as a recount text, yet it does not give information on the present situation; it only gives the vague background details.
Doyle’s development in A case of identity compared that to Poe’s Tell Tale Heart is quite minimized. Holmes and Watson recount past mysteries, and discuss how they are solved. Whereas, Poe builds up suspension to the text, on how tediously the protagonist plans to commit the murder. This is very well written, on how the protagonist chose his fate.
The problem area of Tell Tale Heart is cleverly written, it focuses more on the progression to the murder than the actual murder itself. The protagonist has a lot of varied emotions in which: he is either a victim or criminal. However, in Doyle’s story the victim introduces the problem to the reader, this victim is usually distrait.
Doyle’s crisis explains how it affects Holmes and Watson, in what directions they go to solve the mystery. In Tell Tale Heart this crisis is brought to the reader, when the police give a knock at the door.
Doyle’s resolution is very simple as Holmes explains to the reader and Watson, on his observations and deductions. Poe makes the protagonist confess his deed, from the submission of his guilt.
Poe was born in Boston on January 19th, 1809. He was the son of two actors; his mother Elizabeth Arnold Poe was British born, and his father David Poe jr. and American. Poe had a very distrait, betrayed and troublesome life, as father disappeared and was never seen again, his mother died a few years later and his siblings were split in to different families. A successful businessman John Allen adopted Poe. Poe was kicked out of the University of Virginia after drunkenness and gambling, also his stepfather refused to aid him no longer. Some people say that Poe got his vivid imagination from the sights of gothic castles and violent sea storms may have developed here. Theses are found frequently in his stories, the horrible luck and experience may well have been a factor. Poe passed away on October 7, 1849 when he was forty years old from a heart attack.
Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was born on May 22, 1859, in Edinburgh Scotland. The Doyles were a prosperous Irish family, Charles Altamont Doyle was the father of Arthur and his mother was Mary Foley. Doyle’s mother was a master storyteller and may have well been the innovator of Doyle’s vivid imaginations, as his father was alcoholic. Arthur also spent seven years in a grueling, school, which he very much hated.
Poe and Doyle both come from unstable backgrounds filled with deceit and betrayal, which may have influenced them to become such graphic and magnificent writers. Both authors present crime in their unique styles of writing and past experiences.
