First published in 1843, this short story is a masterpiece of Gothic horror, told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator who insists on their sanity while describing a murder they committed.

Poe wrote this story during the height of his literary career, creating one of the most studied examples of unreliable narration in literature. The story was first published in James Russell Lowell's The Pioneer in January 1843.

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Wuthering Heights; and Agnes Grey

by Ellis and Acton Bell

Author: Emily Brontë, Anne Brontë, and Charlotte Brontë

1850

Image: From the British Library collection

The Commercial Opportunity

Storytelling Potential:

• The Tell-Tale Heart is considered a masterwork of psychological horror, exploring themes of guilt, madness, and the human conscience. Its innovative narrative technique has influenced countless writers and remains a staple of American literature.

Immersive Concepts:

• Published in 1843 in The Pioneer magazine
• Features an unreliable narrator
• Explores psychological horror and guilt
• One of Poe's most famous short stories
• Widely studied in literature courses worldwide