The Tell Tale Heart: The Labovian Theory

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questioning the art of
madness, and fearing the depravity of reason.
The "The Tell-Tale Heart" is, at a glance, seemingly about a man
plotting to kill another man in cold blood. Looking further into the words,
the reader can find a story of a man obsessed with senses and the ability
to have complete control over them. The narrator uses reason to overwhelm
the morality of his actions. His obsession takes over his whole being,
thus bringing on the madness which over powers his world. The focus of
the abstract is first seen as the narrator describes his idea as,
"haunting him day and night"(226). Only an obsessed person could let
something get to the point where they cannot think of anything else. Poe
uses strategic wording to pinpoint the abstract. Poe blatantly announces
the point, and the narrator confesses, "Madmen know nothing. But you
should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded . . .
"(226). He was a coldly calculating man, obsessed that ...

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