EXPOSITION: The narrator is introduced and he try to prove his sanity while explains why he killed the old man
I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how calmly I can tell you the whole story (Poe 835).Tone: Placate, Authoritative,
...I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever (Poe 836). Tone: Contemplative, thoughtful
CONFLICT:Man vs Man Man vs Self
RISING ACTION: Over the next 7-8 nights the narrator plots killing the old man to get rid of the eye and each night the narrator enters the old man's room waiting to see his eye open.
Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch's minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night, had I felt the extent of my own powers of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph (Poe 836).Tone: Maniatic, creepy
...The old man's hour had come! with a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room. He shrieked once- once only. In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him (Poe 839). Tone: Lunatic, frenetic
CLIMAX: One night the old man wakes up with fear because he hears something and the narrator sees his eye. He waited a little but he could hear the heart of the old man beating louder and louder until finally the narrator attacked the old man and killed him.
RESOLUTION: The narrator hears a ticking noise that grows louder and louder and believes that it is the sound of the old man's heart. He can't tolerate it and finally confess killing the old man.
Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! - and now- again!- hark! louder! louder! louder! louder!- 'villains!' I shrieked, 'dissemble' no more! I admit the deed! (Poe 841). Tone:Paranoiac, anxious
FALLING ACTION: The police arrive at the house because the old man's neighbor heard a shriek. They wanted to search the house to see if anything was wrong and the narrator invited them to come and sit down. I smiled- for what I had to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream... I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues (Poe 840).Tone: Persuasive, eloquent