Which of the following best describes the significance of the beating heart throughout the
story?
A. It represents the narrator’s own death, like the old man’s, drawing near as he faces
punishment for his crime.
B. It shows there is something supernatural happening to the narrator, for the ghost of
the old man is haunting him.
C. It represents the narrator’s guilt and worsening sanity, for the beating heart serves as a
reminder of his crime.
D. It signifies the narrator’s anxiety about not burying the old man respectfully after
killing him.
C. It represents the narrator’s guilt and worsening sanity, for the beating heart serves as a reminder of his crime.
C. It represents the narrator’s guilt and worsening sanity, for the beating heart serves as a reminder of his crime.
To determine the best answer that describes the significance of the beating heart throughout the story, let's analyze each option and its supporting evidence:
A. It represents the narrator's own death, like the old man's, drawing near as he faces punishment for his crime.
To determine if this option is correct, we need to examine whether the beating heart symbolizes the narrator's impending death. In Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Tell-Tale Heart," the narrator is plagued by guilt, not the fear of impending death. Therefore, this option is not the best choice.
B. It shows there is something supernatural happening to the narrator, for the ghost of the old man is haunting him.
This option suggests that the beating heart is a supernatural occurrence caused by the ghost of the old man. However, there is no evidence in the story that supports the existence of a ghost haunting the narrator. Thus, this option is not the best choice.
C. It represents the narrator's guilt and worsening sanity, for the beating heart serves as a reminder of his crime.
The beating heart is repeatedly mentioned in the story, and it becomes louder and more prominent as the narrator's guilt intensifies. The sound of the heartbeat serves as a constant reminder of the crime he has committed, symbolizing his growing guilt and deteriorating mental state. This option aligns with the evidence provided and is the best choice.
D. It signifies the narrator's anxiety about not burying the old man respectfully after killing him.
While the narrator may indeed have anxiety about burying the old man's body correctly, the beating heart does not directly represent this specific anxiety. The primary focus of the beating heart is on the narrator's guilt and deteriorating sanity, rather than the burial process. Therefore, this option is not the best choice.
In conclusion, the best description of the significance of the beating heart throughout the story is option C: It represents the narrator's guilt and worsening sanity, for the beating heart serves as a reminder of his crime.