As “The Tell-Tale Heart” progresses, how does the narrator’s mood change?
A. He becomes increasingly puzzled.
B. He becomes increasingly excited.
C. He becomes increasingly tranquil.
D. He becomes increasingly joyous.
C. He becomes increasingly tranquil.
To determine how the narrator's mood changes in "The Tell-Tale Heart," we can analyze the text and look for clues in the story. One effective strategy is to pay attention to the narrator's language, actions, and behavior throughout the story.
First, let's understand the initial mood of the narrator. At the beginning of the story, the narrator appears to be nervous and apprehensive. He confesses to having an acute sense of hearing and claims that he is not mad. This suggests that he may be trying to convince himself of his sanity, which contributes to a feeling of unease.
As the story progresses, the narrator's mood evolves. The turning point occurs when the narrator finally acts on his plan to kill the old man. At this point, his mood shifts from anxious to excited. He describes himself as being "very, very dreadfully nervous" but also "sane."
During the climax of the story, when the narrator is in the process of killing the old man, his mood changes again. He becomes consumed by an intense sense of dread and anxiety. He hears the old man's heartbeat and describes it as a "low, dull, quick sound," which further exacerbates his unease.
After the murder, the narrator's mood transitions to a state of extreme agitation. He becomes increasingly paranoid, believing that he hears the old man's heartbeat coming from beneath the floorboards.
As the story concludes, the narrator's mood shifts once more. He becomes increasingly manic and unstable, ultimately confessing to his crime. He is tormented by guilt and the belief that he can still hear the old man's heartbeat, which implies a sense of hysteria.
Based on these observations, it can be concluded that the correct answer is not A. (puzzled), C. (tranquil), or D. (joyous). The best answer is B. (excited) because the narrator's mood becomes increasingly intense and excited as the story progresses.