Symbolism in 'The Tell-Tale Heart'

Symbolism is where writers use objects, characters, or elements in their work, to represent deeper ideas and themes. Poe uses the old man’s eye to symbolise intrusion, truth and moral or spiritual judgement in the story. Poe uses the heart beat to symbolise the narrator’s guilt, paranoia and time running out. Symbols allow the writer to communicate hidden or deeper meanings within the text. When writing about a writer’s use of symbolism, it is always important to discuss why it has been used.