Extracts from this document...

Introduction

The Tell Tale Heart Read the "Tell tale heart" by Edger Allen Poe. How does Poe create horror and suspense? How does it compare to modern day horror stories. In order to assess how the narrator, Edger Allen Poe creates horror and suspense I will look at, the use of language which is used, the narrator and how he uses direct address and how this horror story differs from a modern day equivalent. In the very first line Poe uses punctuation. 'True! - nervous - very, very dreadfully nervous' This creates a very slow start to the story and it and it makes one want to read on. Also the use of language and repetition in the first line creates a very high tense situation in the reader mind, before the reader knows of any characters it is already apparent that something mischievous is happening. Poe also uses direct address throughout his story with great effect. ...read more.

Middle

'I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye for ever.' And 'passion there was none' The knowledge that he loved the old man takes away any compassion that the reader might feel for the murderer. A crime of passion or provocation can provide sympathy, but Edgar Allen Poe strips away any sympathy by describing a motiveless crime. Another example of Poe using punctuation to create horror and suspense is. 'Villain! I shrieked, dissemble no more! I admit the deed! - tear up the planks! - here, here! - It is the beating of his hideous heart! The high number of pauses in the story just before the killer admits his gilt slows the reader down and keeps them in suspense until finally he confesses. Edgar Allan Poe uses time throughout the whole story. The length of time before the attack. ...read more.

Conclusion

Most modern day horror stories like scream create their horror by showing disgusting pictures of bodies, with big knifes sticking through the middle of them. While The tell tale heart relies on building up the tensions gradually, and it tells he reader what is going through the killers mind. The story also differs because Poe story is so calculated and cleaver, the killer thinks of every possible thing and covers up the crime seen masterfully, while in scream the killer just tries to kill as many people as possible while leaving them in the worst looking position he can master. In scream the killer is kept very mysterious but in The tell tale heart the killer is telling you the story and he tells the reader his pathetic reason for killing the old man. In conclusion I think Poe's creates an excellent horror story and I think the suspense created in his story is a great deal better than that of its modern day equivalent. The use of language, punctuation, direct address and his use of time all combine to give a excellent overall effect. 1 By Rob Guyatt ...read more.

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Edgar Allan Poe section.