Discover Spine-Chilling Quotes From The Tell Tale Heart, Edgar Allan Poe's Masterpiece

Are you a fan of Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart? Do you love the way the story sends shivers down your spine? Well, get ready to laugh because we've compiled some hilarious quotes from the classic tale. From the narrator's mad ramblings to his obsession with the old man's eye, these quotes will have you chuckling in no time.

Let's start with the famous opening line: True! - nervous - very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? Uh, probably because you just said you're nervous and dreadfully so. But hey, who are we to judge?

As the narrator continues his monologue, he assures us that he is not mad, just incredibly sensitive. He says, I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. Oh, well if you heard things in hell, then I guess that makes it all okay.

One of the most amusing parts of the story is the narrator's obsession with the old man's eye. He describes it as a pale blue eye, with a film over it. But then he goes on to say, Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees - very gradually - I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever. Ah yes, because killing someone is definitely the most logical solution to dealing with an uncomfortable gaze.

As the story progresses, the narrator becomes increasingly unhinged. He hears the beating of the old man's heart and becomes convinced that it is still beating even after he has killed him. He says, It grew louder - louder - louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? I mean, they were probably just trying to be polite and not mention the fact that you have a dead body under the floorboards.

But perhaps the most humorous part of the story is the ending. After confessing to the murder, the narrator says, Villains! I shrieked, dissemble no more! I admit the deed! - tear up the planks! here, here! - It is the beating of his hideous heart! And then he promptly faints. Talk about a dramatic exit.

Overall, The Tell-Tale Heart may be a dark and twisted tale, but these quotes prove that there's still room for humor in even the most macabre of stories. So go ahead, have a laugh. Just don't let the beating of your own heart drive you mad.

Introduction

Edgar Allan Poe is a master of horror and suspense, and one of his most famous works is The Tell-Tale Heart. In this short story, the narrator is driven mad by the sound of his victim's heart beating beneath the floorboards. But amidst the terror and tension, there are also some hilarious quotes that will make you laugh out loud. Let's take a look at some of the funniest lines from The Tell-Tale Heart.

I loved the old man. He had never wronged me. He had never given me insult.

The narrator may be a murderer, but he's quick to point out that his victim was actually a pretty nice guy. It's almost as if he's trying to justify his actions by saying, Hey, I didn't kill him because he was a jerk or anything. Of course, we all know that murder is never justifiable, no matter how nice the victim may have been.

Object there was none. Passion there was none.

This line is just hilarious because it's so absurd. The narrator is trying to convince us that he's not insane, but he can't even come up with a good reason for why he killed the old man. Object there was none is a fancy way of saying, There was no reason, and Passion there was none means, I wasn't even angry or anything. Yeah, right.

I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell.

The narrator is definitely delusional, and this line proves it. He thinks he can hear everything, even things in heaven and hell. It's almost like he's trying to convince himself that he's some kind of supernatural being, which is pretty funny when you think about it.

It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain.

Again, the narrator is trying to convince us that he's not insane, but he can't even explain how he came up with the idea to kill the old man. This line is just so ridiculous that it's hard not to laugh. It's like saying, I have no idea how I decided to rob that bank. It just popped into my head one day.

I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.

The way the narrator talks about rid[ding] myself of the eye forever is just so matter-of-fact that it's almost comical. He makes it sound like he's getting rid of a pesky fly or something, not committing murder. It's a classic case of understatement.

I went to work. I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him.

This line is both funny and chilling. The narrator is trying to convince us that he's not a bad guy, even though he's planning to murder someone. And the fact that he was never kinder to the old man just makes it all the more disturbing. It's like he's trying to make up for what he's about to do by being extra nice to his victim.

But anything was better than this agony!

This quote comes after the narrator has finally killed the old man and buried him beneath the floorboards. He's relieved that the sound of the beating heart is gone, but his guilt and paranoia are driving him insane. The way he says, But anything was better than this agony! is so over-the-top that it's almost funny. It's like he's in a bad soap opera or something.

Villains! I shrieked, dissemble no more! I admit the deed! Tear up the planks! Here, here! It is the beating of his hideous heart!

This is the climactic moment of the story, and it's both terrifying and hilarious. The narrator has completely lost it and is now confessing to his crime in a dramatic and overwrought way. The way he yells, Villains! is especially funny, because he's the only villain in the room.

True! –nervous –very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?

The narrator's insistence that he's not insane is a running joke throughout the story, and this line is one of the best examples. He's practically begging the reader to believe him, even though everything he's said and done up to this point proves that he's completely crazy. It's like watching someone try to convince you that they're not drunk when they're clearly stumbling around and slurring their words.

Conclusion

The Tell-Tale Heart may be a horror story, but it's also full of humor and irony. The way the narrator tries to justify his actions and convince us that he's not insane is both chilling and laughable. Poe's writing is so vivid and intense that it's impossible not to be drawn into the story, even as you're laughing at its absurdity. So the next time you read The Tell-Tale Heart, be sure to keep an eye out for the funny quotes hidden amidst the horror and suspense.

Quotes From The Tell Tale Heart

As the narrator of The Tell Tale Heart, I have to say: I'm not crazy! Sure, I may have sharpened my knife a few times and plucked out an eye or two, but that doesn't make me crazy. It just makes me...thorough.

The Eye

The eye, oh the eye! exclaimed the narrator, as he plucked it out with glee. I mean, who hasn't wanted to do that to someone at some point? The old man's eye was just so unsettling, always staring at me. And honestly, I did him a favor by taking it out. Now he can rest peacefully without that pesky eye bothering him.

Heart Beats

There's nothing wrong with hearing a heart beat...except when it's not there, chuckled the narrator. Some people might find it strange that I listened to the old man's heart beat every night, but really, it was just a habit. It helped me fall asleep, like counting sheep. But then one night, the heart stopped beating. And let me tell you, it was a relief. No more annoying thumping keeping me up at night.

Clean Floor

I may have killed him, but at least I have a clean floor, joked the narrator. Hey, I take pride in my cleaning skills. And after I took care of the old man, I made sure to clean up any evidence. No blood stains or anything like that. Just a nice, clean floor.

The Eye and Snoring

I couldn't bear the old man's eye...or his snoring, quipped the narrator. Seriously, his snoring was like a chainsaw. And it always seemed to get louder when I was trying to listen for his heart beat. It was just too much to handle. Something had to be done.

Conscience

Who needs a conscience when you have a good hiding spot? chuckled the narrator. I mean, really. What good is a conscience when you've already done the deed? And let me tell you, I had the perfect hiding spot for the old man's body. No one will ever find it.

Beating Heart

Seeing a beating heart would make anyone go crazy, right? laughed the narrator. I mean, come on. Who wouldn't go a little mad if they saw a heart beating under the floorboards? It's not exactly a normal thing to witness. But hey, at least I can say I've seen it now.

Change of Heart

I didn't want to kill him, I just wanted him to stop looking at me, smirked the narrator. It's true. I didn't go into this with the intention of killing the old man. I just couldn't stand the way he looked at me. But once I started, I couldn't stop. It was like a rush. And in the end, I guess you could say I had a change of heart...and so did he, chuckled the narrator.

So there you have it. Some of my favorite quotes from The Tell Tale Heart. Sure, some people might think I'm crazy. But really, I'm just a guy who knows what he wants...and isn't afraid to go after it.

The Tell Tale Heart Quotes: A Humorous Perspective

Introduction

Have you ever read Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell Tale Heart? If you have, then you know that it's a dark and creepy story about a man who murders an old man because of his eye. However, if you take a closer look at some of the quotes from the story, you might find that there's a bit of humor hidden within the darkness. Let's explore some of these quotes together.

Table of Contents

1. True - nervous - very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?
2. It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night.
3. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees - very gradually - I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.
4. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell.
5. Villains! I shrieked, dissemble no more! I admit the deed! - tear up the planks! here, here! - It is the beating of his hideous heart!

The Quotes

Quote 1

True - nervous - very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?

• This quote shows the narrator's frustration with people calling him mad.
• It's humorous because he's clearly not in his right mind, yet he's trying to defend himself.

Quote 2

It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night.

• This quote shows how the idea of murder consumed the narrator's thoughts.
• It's humorous because it's relatable - we've all had ideas that won't leave us alone.

Quote 3

Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees - very gradually - I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.

• This quote shows the narrator's determination to get rid of the old man's eye.
• It's humorous because he's so fixated on the eye that he's willing to commit murder to get rid of it.

Quote 4

I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell.

• This quote shows the narrator's delusions of grandeur.
• It's humorous because it's clear that he's not actually hearing things in heaven or hell.

Quote 5

Villains! I shrieked, dissemble no more! I admit the deed! - tear up the planks! here, here! - It is the beating of his hideous heart!

• This quote shows the narrator's confession to the murder.
• It's humorous because he's so dramatic about it - tear up the planks!

Conclusion

While The Tell Tale Heart is a dark and disturbing story, we can still find humor within its pages. The quotes we explored show us just how absurd the narrator's thoughts and actions are. Sometimes, it's good to find the humor in the darkness.

Closing Thoughts: Quotes From The Tell Tale Heart

And that, dear readers, brings us to the end of our journey through some of the most chilling and memorable quotes from Edgar Allan Poe's masterpiece, The Tell-Tale Heart. I hope you enjoyed revisiting this classic horror story with me and that it sent shivers down your spine as it did mine.

But before we bid adieu, let's take a moment to appreciate the dark humor that runs through the tale. After all, what's horror without a little bit of laughter to lighten the mood?

For example, who can forget the narrator's claim that he is not mad, despite his erratic behavior and obsession with a dead man's eye? It's almost like he's trying to convince himself more than anyone else.

Or how about when he hears the old man's heart beating beneath the floorboards and thinks it's getting louder and louder? We can practically hear him panicking and losing his grip on reality.

Of course, there's also the matter of the policemen who come to investigate the narrator's cries in the night. He welcomes them with open arms, eager to show off his tidy house and calm demeanor – completely unaware of the horror they're about to uncover.

As we reflect on these moments, we're reminded that horror and humor are often two sides of the same coin. They both rely on surprise, tension, and a willingness to push boundaries. And in the hands of a master like Poe, they can create a truly unforgettable experience.

So, my friends, as you go about your day or night, remember the lessons of The Tell-Tale Heart. Listen to the beating of your own heart, embrace your madness (just don't take it too far), and never underestimate the power of a well-placed punchline.

And who knows – maybe someday you'll find yourself telling your own tale of horror and humor, inspired by the dark genius of Edgar Allan Poe.

Until then, thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope it left you feeling both scared and amused – and perhaps even more appreciative of the twisted mind behind one of literature's greatest horror stories.

People Also Ask About Quotes From The Tell Tale Heart

What are some famous quotes from The Tell Tale Heart?

Here are some of the most famous quotes from Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell Tale Heart:

• True! - nervous - very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?
• It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night.
• I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell.
• Villains! I shrieked, dissemble no more! I admit the deed! - tear up the planks! here, here! - It is the beating of his hideous heart!

What is the significance of the quote It is the beating of his hideous heart!?

The quote It is the beating of his hideous heart! is significant because it is the moment when the narrator confesses to the murder of the old man. The sound of the heart, which he believes is still beating beneath the floorboards, drives him to madness and compels him to reveal his crime. This quote is a pivotal moment in the story, as it marks the climax of the narrator's descent into insanity.

What does the quote I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell mean?

The quote I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell is a reflection of the narrator's heightened senses and hypersensitivity to sound. He describes his ability to hear everything around him, even things that are normally imperceptible, such as the beating of the old man's heart. This quote also suggests that the narrator is descending into madness, as he believes that he can hear things from beyond the realms of the living world.

In Conclusion

Overall, the quotes from The Tell Tale Heart are some of the most memorable and chilling lines in all of literature. They capture the narrator's descent into madness and reveal his innermost thoughts and fears. Whether you're a fan of horror stories or just appreciate great writing, these quotes are sure to send shivers down your spine!