Show:
TTH 1
TTH 2
Define Me
Synonyms
Antonyms
100
The narrator says, "The disease had sharpened my senses--not destroyed--not dulled them." What kind of disease is he referring to?
A disease that causes anxiety and hypersensitivity; possibly paranoia
100
In paragraphs 3 and 4, the narrator uses words to demonstrate that he is straightforward and rational. List three words that he uses to create this tone.
1) wisely 2) cunningly 3) "with what caution" 4) boldly 5) courageously 6) sagacity 7) steadily
100
Easily influenced or controlled by others.
What is malleable (person)?
100
"Flexible" would be a synonym for which of the vocabulary words?
malleable
100
"Stiff" is an antonym for which word? a. malleable b. atrocity c. vacillate
a. malleable
200
In paragraph two, what do you notice about what the narrator says versus what he does and feels?
He says that he loves the old man but he decides to kill him.
200
In paragraphs 6 and 7, the author creates an ominous and sinister mood with his word choice. Identify two word choices that are used to create this mood.
1) death watches 2) mortal terror 3) black shadow 4) stalked 5) mournful 6) vulture eye
200
The direct opposite.
What is antithesis?
200
Which word would be a synonym for "antithesis"? a. similar b. contrary c. advocate
b. contrary
200
"Kindness" would be an antonym for which word? a. discredit b. antithesis c. atrocity
c. atrocity
300
List two incidents that provoke the narrator to murder the old man.
1) Paragraph 7: The narrator opens the lantern and it falls exactly on the open "vulture eye" of the old man. 2) Paragraph 8: The narrator grows furious when he sees the old man's eye. 3) Paragraph 9: The narrator hears the beating of the old man's heart and it increases his anger. 4) Paragraph 10: The beating of the heart grows quicker and louder, and it infuriates the narrator further. 5) Paragraph 10: The old man yells and the narrator is nervous that the neighbors will hear the yell as well as the beating of the old man's heart and so he murders him.
300
In the last two paragraphs the narrator confesses to the murder. Cite one textual evidence that supports why he confesses.
The narrator confesses because he thinks that the police are making a mockery of him and he can contain himself no further. He says, 1)"They were making a mockery of my horror...I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die!" 2) I felt that I must scream or die!" 3) "Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed!--tear up the planks! here, here!--It is the beating of his hideous heart!"
300
To cause the loss of someone's respect or trust.
What is discredit?
300
Which word would mean the same as "discredit"? a. ruin b. honor c. commend
a. ruin
300
Which word would be an antonym for "vacillate"? a. fluctuate b. remain c. change
b. remain
400
Poe opens his 1843 short story “The Tell-Tale Heart” with these lines. TRUE!--nervous--very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses--not destroyed--not dulled them. How does he try to convince his audience? Cite the textual evidence that supports your argument.
He tries to convince his audience through logical arguments that he was justified in killing the old man. He says, "And have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over-acuteness of the sense?"
400
In paragraph 7, the narrator empathizes with the old man, but still he laughs at him. Cite the textual evidence about what the narrator says versus what he does and feels?
"I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart." Although he knows that the old man is in mortal terror and appreciates what that feels like, he still laughs at the old man. One can infer from this contradiction that the narrator is cruel.
400
The division into two parts.
What is dichotomy?
400
Which word would be a synonym for "horror"? a. discredit b. antithesis c. atrocity
c. atrocity
400
"Agreement" would be an antonym for which word? a. dichotomy b. malleable c. antithesis
a. dichotomy
500
In paragraph 10, the narrator is driven to kill the old man. Cite textual evidence about what the narrator says versus what he does and feels.
He feels terror as he hears the beating of the old man's heart. "The hellish tattoo of the heart increased...so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror." Nevertheless after he murders the old man, he has an inappropriate response. "I then smiled gaily." He feels no remorse for the death of the old man instead he says, "His eye would trouble me no more." He seems more concerned about getting rid of the eye than the life of the old man. This is further evidence that the narrator is insane.
500
In paragraphs 10 and 11, He says, "If you still think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the concealment of the body." What word would describe the narrator's character at that moment?
proud, unstable
500
Very cruel or shocking.
What is atrocity?
500
Which word describes a "seesaw" effect? a. dichotomy b. vacillate c. malleable
b. vacillate
500
Which word would be an antonym for "discredit"? a. slander b. compliment c. kindness
b. compliment