Final answer:
The comparison of 'The Tell-Tale Heart' and 'The Rules of the Game' reveals that both stories use literary devices like symbolism and metaphor for plot development, but differ in their use of unreliable narration and imagery to shape their unique themes and characters.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing and contrasting "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe and "The Rules of the Game" by Amy Tan showcases how both authors use literary devices to develop their plots, although they do so in different manners. Poe employs devices like unreliable narration and symbolism, providing insight into the narrator's state of mind, especially through the symbolic beating of the dead man's heart, which builds tension and advances the plot towards its climax. Meanwhile, in Tan's story, imagery and metaphor are more prominently used to establish the setting and cultural context, effectively shaping the protagonist's challenges and growth in the plot.
For example, in "The Tell-Tale Heart", the narrator's descent into madness is illustrated through his meticulous attention to detail and paranoid thoughts, which are critical elements of both character development and plot progression. On the other hand, "The Rules of the Game" focuses on the chess prodigy Waverly's strategic thinking, both in her chess games and in dealing with her mother, where the game of chess serves as an extended metaphor for life's challenges and the dynamic between Waverly and her mother. Both stories culminate in pivotal moments that reveal the protagonists' inner turmoil and ultimate realizations, though the devices used to get there differ greatly between the two authors.