Question

PLEASE HELP FAST!!!!! You have read the texts “The Tell Tale Heart” and “Why is it Fun to be Frightened?” Based on the information in both selections, write a response to the following: Explain how the theme of fear is used in each text.

Answer 1

The theme of fear in 'The Tell Tale Heart' illustrates how it can consume the mind, leading to the protagonist's downfall, while 'Why is it Fun to be Frightened?' explains the psychological reasons why people enjoy fear in safe scenarios.

Step-by-step explanation:

The theme of fear is prominent in both 'The Tell Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe and the article 'Why is it Fun to be Frightened?'. In 'The Tell Tale Heart', fear drives the narrative as the protagonist becomes consumed with guilt and paranoia after committing murder, which leads to his eventual confession. The reader is drawn into the protagonist's increasing terror, eventually feeling the very palpitations of the ominous heartbeat that tortures the character. In contrast, 'Why is it Fun to be Frightened?' explores fear from a psychological perspective, discussing why people seek out scary experiences and how controlled environments, like horror movies or haunted houses, allow for a safe engagement with fear.

Fear as a theme is used differently across both texts. In 'The Tell Tale Heart', it's a catalyst for plot progression and character development, illustrating how fear can consume the human mind. Conversely, 'Why is it Fun to be Frightened?' examines fear as a sensation that humans enjoy in controlled doses, triggering the 'fight or flight' response in a manner that is ultimately pleasurable because it is risk-free. This analytical approach showcases how fear functions in real life, in contrast to its literary depiction in Poe's narrative.

Answer 2

In "The Tell Tale Heart," the theme of fear is portrayed through the protagonist's overwhelming terror and guilt, leading to his eventual confession. The narrator is haunted by the unnerving sound of the old man's beating heart, which causes him to commit murder. His fear of the old man's eye also drives him to commit the crime. Overall, the story emphasizes the destructive power of fear and guilt, as they drive the narrator to madness and eventual confession.

In "Why is it Fun to be Frightened?" the theme of fear is explored in a different light. The text discusses how humans have an innate desire to experience fear and how it can be a source of entertainment. The author argues that being scared in a controlled environment can be thrilling and enjoyable as it offers feelings of excitement and adrenaline. Fear can also evoke a sense of unity as people often bond over shared experiences of fear. The article highlights how the theme of fear can be utilized positively as a way to entertain, bond, and challenge oneself.

Overall, both texts use the theme of fear in different ways. "The Tell Tale Heart" portrays fear as a negative emotion, leading to destructive behavior, while "Why is it Fun to be Frightened?" explores how fear can be harnessed positively as a source of entertainment and bonding.