In the poem the Tell-Tale Heart, Edgar Allan Poe describes the rapid beating of the narrator's heart to symbolize the narrator’s guilt after committing a brutal crime, and the effects of tragedy and confrontation, ultimately illustrating, individuals can experience inner conflict after impulsive choices they make.

First, Poe shows the symbolic meaning behind The narrator’s rapidly beating heart contributes to the rising tension of the story, but it also contributes to the decisions the narrator makes. The narrator believes that the cop asking him questions about what may have happened to the old man somehow already knows that the narrator committed the crime. He thinks his heartbeat is so loud and rapid that the cop can hear it too, and is just playing along with what the narrator is saying because he “knows” the narrator committed the crime. Because of the narrator’s rising guilt and rapid heartbeat, the narrator comes to the conclusion that he has already been found guilty. Since,  this symbolizes the theme of the passage and the idea of how much guilt can impact one’s decisions. Thus, the narrator’s growing guilt and worry show that an individual’s internal conflict can lead them to make decisions that they wouldn’t normally make, and the rapid beating of the narrator's heart after he commits a brutal crime. The poem’s tone begins very creepy and eerie;, the narrator decides to come to his victims house and brutally murder him because of the bother his “evil” eye has been for quite some time. The tone quickly shifts after the cops arrive and the narrator begins to feel a sense of guilt. This isn’t outwardly said, but shown when Poe describes the narrator’s rapidly beating heart and increased worry. Because Poe shows the narrator's guilt through symptoms he is feeling rather than just saying the narrator’s emotions, the tone is further developed increasing tension. Consequently, this symbolism allows for more plot development, because the increasing heart rate is developing the climax which comes when the narrator confesses to the cops even though he would have likely not been caught if he didn’t confess. Therefore, this shows how increased internal conflict can contribute to individuals making choices they wouldn’t make without feeling of internal suffering. Poe’s symbolism is impactful to the poem in other ways, contributing further to the well-developed story. 

Furthermore, Poe describes the effects of tragedy and confrontation by using the narrator's heart to show what he is experiencing. The guilt and confrontation the narrator faces become more threatening to the narrator in a way that Poe demonstrates through symbolizing the narrator’s emotions. After the cops arrive at the victims home, the narrator is initially calm and content because of his confidence that he has covered up all possible evidence that he murdered the old man. However, this feeling of confidence quickly fades after the cop confronts the narrator with simple questions regarding the old man. Because the narrator is faced with confrontation, he is quickly unsure and questioning his actions, leading to his increased heartbeat- which shows his emotions and fear. Consequently, this leads to a confession later from the narrator because of his belief that he has already been caught and convicted. Therefore, the symbolism by Poe effectively illustrates how confrontation can lead to increased internal insecurity and unintentional confessions. To continue, Poe shows the unwanted consequences to committing a crime and the effects of tragedy. The narrator initially feels relief after killing the old man because of the burden his “evil” eye was to him. However after committing this tragedy, this feeling of victory faded once the narrator realized what potential consequences could come of this crime. Because the narrator's heartbeat increased, it could be assumed he was no longer so content with what he did. Since, the narrator’s shift in emotion which is symbolized by his growing heartbeat work to provide the tone and express the emotions the narrator is experiencing. Thus, the narrator’s beating heart effectively symbolizes the guilt and pressure the narrator feels after making an impulsive choice due to internal conflict.

Ultimately, the symbolism demonstrated in this poem not only creates an important perspective and growing tension, but it also allows for the best understanding of what the narrator is going through. The beating heart represents guilt, uncertainty, and fear which contributes to the eerie and creepy tone of the poem because of the developing mystery and tension. So, the choices the narrator makes lead to his increased heart rate which symbolizes how decisions can reflect internal conflict a character might be dealing with.

In the Black Cat, Edgar Allen Poe employs scenes of violence in order to show the effects of addiction and the consequences of cruelty and abuse, ultimately illustrating compassion and mercy can prevent great acts of violence. 

To begin, Poe’s inclusion of the eerie presence of the black cat led the man to commit acts of violence under the influence of alcohol. The man’s addiction to alcohol is what made him think the cat was a threat, when really the black cat’s presence put a sense of confrontation on the man which he didn’t like. In the poem, the man feels the eyes of the innocent, but creepy black cats on him- leaving him with discomfort and annoyance. The man chooses to harm the cat, and eventually kills it by hitting the cat with an ax. Because of the man’s decision to kill the cat under the influence of alcohol, it is confirmed that the man’s addiction led him to this act of violence. Consequently, the focus of the cat on the man left the man feeling judged and confronted because of his overwhelming drinking problem- which he chose to ignore- until the cat’s focused attention on him became unbearable and the man turned to violence. Therefore, Poe’s example of this scene of violence shows that compassion and mercy can prevent harmful acts of violence on innocent beings. To continue, Poe employs another example of the man’s violence toward the cat, contributing to the theme of addiction's influence on violence. After the man brutally murders the cat, he no longer feels a confrontational and disturbing presence. However, this comfort doesn’t last long when the cat returns, alive with the wounds the man committed to him, and one less eye. The man is left completely disturbed and believes he is imagining this scene, because of his confidence that he ended the black cat's life. Because of the cat’s unexpected return, the man once again feels a deep discomforting feeling, which he doesn’t understand is not just the creepy cat, but the weight of his addiction. Poe's depiction of the black cat adds to the gothic horror, but it is meant to have a metaphorical meaning- being that the cat is the man’s addiction and it will continue to haunt him until he is free from his addiction. Thus, the metaphorical meaning of the black cat’s presence shows how addiction is something that will continue to cause violence, and compassion can help prevent more violence.

Furthermore, Poe demonstrates in the poem the consequences of the man’s commitment of cruelty and abuse which goes beyond just what happens to the black cat. The man continues to hurt the cat. He hits it with an ax, breaks its bones, and even hangs it from a tree. The cat continues to come back, because it is not just immortal, but a physical demonstration of the burden of the man’s addiction. Because of the man’s growing addiction, his violence and anger grow as well leading up to the climax which shows the ultimate effect of little compassion and overwhelming cruelty. Consequently, the man’s anger towards the cat develops and he becomes angry and bitter constantly, even to his wife. Therefore, the effects of violence and cruelty lead to great loss and consequence. In addition, the man finally decides enough is enough and puts the cat behind a brick wall in his house where he “won’t” get out. The cat breaks through the wall however, and the man aims with his ax to hit it, but instead hits his wife, killing her. Because of this, the man is left with nothing but the haunting of the black cat and his uncontrollable addiction. Since, the man’s actions and now deranged character lead him to hide his wife, and once again the cat behind the brick wall. Thus, this shows how addiction and cruelty can lead to drastic acts of violence because of the impact of addiction and violence.

To conclude, Poe’s development of the black cat's disturbing presence and the man’s diminishing sense of self and growing addiction develop the tone and message of the poem. Not only does cruelty lead to these consequences, but also addiction. The man killed what he loved most because of his illusion under the influence of alcohol. This poem ultimately shows that compassion and mercy are what can prevent scenes of violence, even under the influence of addiction. However, this was not the path the man took, and the results reflected the effects of his addiction.

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