Edgar E.Poe: Revised verion of the "Tell-Tale Heart"

The young man seems to be one of those people that become too obsessed at random things easily. But, can he be defined as a madman whose mindset is totally different from us because of it? Controversy remains, most agree that but obsession is something inherent in human. Then, why should people distinguish the young man as so extraordinary?

Madness is often associated with behaviors thoughts that are too extraordinary compared to common sense. One such behavior might be the young man’s reaction toward the old man’s pale eyes and their gaze. To murder someone because someone’s appearance and attitude disturbs oneself is thought to be out of the ordinary. But, is it still safe to say that attempting to eliminate something that bothers one so much to result in one becoming unable to live with it is out of the ordinary? Rebels have risen up in the past, risking all they have, because they couldn’t bear the society that they existed in. In the renowned film [The Lives of Others], where the life of discontent writers in East-Germany is dealt, many writers either attempted suicide or revolt because they couldn’t bear their life. As in this case and still many others in everyday life where people attempted to eliminate the source of their agony despite all the ‘unacceptable’ actions they took, would it be still safe to say the young man is mad?

Anger, pain, sorrow, annoyance, despair: all emotions accepted as inherent in human beings. Why then should madness be treated otherwise? Why should it not be treated as something that can and is okay to happen to anyone? Though I pity the old man, I would like to say I could understand the young man.


-comments-
Chonghyun Ahn: I liked the realistic point of view that you raised; stating indirectly that the common sense and mainstream ethics is not divine, categorical and absolute. However, I would have liked a much deeper analysis on the motive of the murder. Was it just because of someone’s appearances? Wasn’t it more like “the gaze” that the old man had put on the protagonist? In such sense, comparing or identifying the protagonist’s action with Father’s killing for revenge is a bit awkward. Such vengeance murders are generally accepted (at least partially), actions in moralistic point of view by some people. In order to strengthen your argument of the relativity, you should’ve chosen a more significant example instead of acceptable one of fathers killing for their family losses. In short, the protagonist’s killing and that of the Fathers have different characteristics, which would enact as a flaw when trying to compare the two. Anyway, great work!! I liked it.

Lee Hyejoon: There were some very deep questions but it would have been better if you answered them too. For instance, you said that insanity was not a very peculiar trait for some mentally disabled people but something prevalent in everyone. Then there must be some difference between most people and Edgar Poe that makes him being called ‘insane’ what would it be? Maybe it’s because Poe and other ‘madmen express their madness out to the public while most people stay silent.

Ryu Jin-Gyeong: New perspective on the “eye” of the old man! I’ve read other critics saying that the ‘eye’ is another ego of the murderer. I thought it to be too symbolic, but you viewed it in other way. J However, I couldn’t understand your points -_- . Are you talking about the historical/ social examples? I think your explanation is quite confusing. Anyway, good job!