upgrade

🪶american literature – before 1860 review

The heart

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

In literature, 'the heart' often symbolizes emotions, passions, and the core of human experience. It serves as a metaphor for love, vulnerability, and moral courage, particularly in the works of Edgar Allan Poe where it embodies themes of madness and emotional turmoil.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. 'The heart' is a recurring symbol in Poe's poetry and short fiction, representing both the beauty and the terror of love and desire.
  2. In 'The Tell-Tale Heart,' the protagonist's obsession with his own heart showcases his descent into madness and guilt.
  3. Poe often contrasts the heart's emotional power with rational thought, highlighting the conflict between passion and reason.
  4. 'The heart' also reflects themes of mortality in Poe's work, emphasizing the fragility of life and the intensity of human emotions.
  5. Through his exploration of 'the heart,' Poe delves into universal themes of fear, loss, and the complexities of human emotion.

Review Questions

  • How does Poe use 'the heart' as a symbol in his stories to convey deeper emotional truths?
    • 'The heart' in Poe's stories serves as a powerful symbol for emotions and the human experience. In 'The Tell-Tale Heart,' for instance, it symbolizes guilt and madness, as the protagonist becomes consumed by his emotions after committing murder. This use of 'the heart' illustrates how emotions can drive individuals to irrational actions and reveal their inner turmoil.
  • Analyze the relationship between 'the heart' and themes of madness in Poe's works.
    • 'The heart' often represents the fine line between sanity and insanity in Poe's narratives. In 'The Tell-Tale Heart,' the heartbeat becomes a manifestation of the narrator's guilt, leading him further into madness. This connection emphasizes how overwhelming emotions can distort one's perception of reality, showcasing Poe's exploration of psychological conflict and the complexities of human nature.
  • Evaluate how Edgar Allan Poe’s portrayal of 'the heart' reflects broader societal views on emotion and morality during his time.
    • Poe's portrayal of 'the heart' reveals significant insights into 19th-century attitudes toward emotion and morality. By depicting characters grappling with intense emotional struggles, Poe critiques societal norms that suppress genuine feelings in favor of rationality. This exploration illustrates a tension between emotional authenticity and societal expectations, highlighting how individuals navigate their moral dilemmas amid deep emotional currents.