The Tell Tale Heart is one of the most provoking pieces of literature, evoking scenes and emotions relative to a terrifying horror story. Expected from such a disturbingly brilliant author, Edgar Allan Poe, it contains elements of surprise, absurdity, and most notably- insanity. In the progress and development of the story, the primary element is the sanity of the narrator and how he rationalizes his act of committing the murder. In the end, the reader can ascertain that was indeed insane, his perception of reality obscured by self-defensive behaviour, thinking himself brilliant and justified in his act of murder.