In both "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe and "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the main characters narrate their own stories, offering insights into their thoughts and emotions. Here are some ways in which the characters from these two stories can be compared and contrasted:
1. Mental State:
- In "The Tell-Tale Heart," the narrator's mental state is characterized by extreme paranoia and obsession, leading to the murder of the old man. The narrator's descent into madness is evident through his meticulous planning and irrational behavior.
- On the other hand, the protagonist in "The Yellow Wallpaper" struggles with postpartum depression, which is exacerbated by the isolation and confinement imposed by her husband. Her mental deterioration is depicted through her fixation on the wallpaper and her eventual descent into hallucinations.
2. Perception of Reality:
- The narrator in "The Tell-Tale Heart" believes his actions are justified and attempts to rationalize his crime by claiming he is not mad. However, his distorted perception of reality and guilt eventually lead to his confession.
- In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the protagonist's perception of reality becomes increasingly distorted as she becomes fixated on the wallpaper in her room. She begins to see a woman trapped within the pattern, reflecting her own sense of confinement and entrapment.
3. Narrative Voice:
- Both narrators exhibit a sense of unreliability in their storytelling. The narrator in "The Tell-Tale Heart" tries to convince the reader of his sanity while his actions suggest otherwise, creating tension and suspense in the narrative.
- In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the protagonist's narrative becomes more fragmented and disjointed as her mental state deteriorates, blurring the line between reality and delusion. This unreliable narration adds to the unsettling atmosphere of the story.
By examining the characters' mental states, perception of reality, and narrative voices in both stories, we can gain a deeper understanding of how Edgar Allan Poe and Charlotte Perkins Gilman explore themes of madness, isolation, and confinement through their protagonists' experiences.
