Hello students. I’m proud of you for completing years 1 and 2 of our American English course. In order for you to become a strong intermediate American English learner, you need to be able to read, understand, and discuss abridged American English short stories. In this lesson, throughout Year 3 of your studies, you will read, listen to, and write about popular American English short stories. Please follow the directions below closely.
- Study the American English vocabulary below.
Words in This Story
nervous – adj. often or easily becoming worried and afraid about what might happen
underworld – n. the place where dead people go in Greek myths
vulture – n. any one of several large birds that eat dead animals and have a small and featherless head
lantern – n. a light that has usually a glass covering and that can be carried by a handle
terror– n. a very strong feeling of fear
well – v. to rise to a surface and flow out — usually + up
horrible – adj. very bad or unpleasant
- Listen to the story.
- Watch the video and read along.
- Take the short story quiz.
- Write a summary of the short story you just read and listened to in the comments section below. Click here to read an article that teaches you how to summarize a story. Remember to let us know who the characters of the story are, what they do, and what the story is about.
Lesson 1.15.2 Year 3
American Short Story
” The Tell-Tale Heart ” by Edgar Allen Poe.
This is a short classic story written by Edgar Allen Poe. The main character of the story is an unnamed narrator, who murders an old man. The narrator is unreliable and seriously mentally ill, as he tries to justify his action and prove his normality. but he reveals his guilt and paranoia. The old man is the victim of the narrator’s obsession with his Vulture-like eye. The police officers are minor characters, who investigate the noise complaint and discover the narrator’s crime. The beating heart represent the natator’s guilt and paranoia regarding his sanity and his ability to remain calm but throughout in the story the narrator hears what he believes to be his victim’s heart still beating beneath the floor beds. the heart symbolizes the emotions and conscience. The theme of ” The Tell -Tale Heart” is guilt and paranoia
Dear teacher,
Lesson 1.15.2 Year 3
American Short Story
” The Tell-Tale Heart ” by Edgar Allen Poe.
This is a short classic story written by Edgar Allen Poe. The main character of the story is an unnamed narrator, who murders an old man. The narrator is unreliable and seriously mentally ill, as he tries to justify his action and prove his normality. but he reveals his guilt and paranoia. The old man is the victim of the narrator’s obsession with his Vulture-like eye. The police officers are minor characters, who investigate the noise complaint and discover the narrator’s crime. The beating heart represent the natator’s guilt and paranoia regarding his sanity and his ability to remain calm but throughout in the story the narrator hears what he believes to be his victim’s heart still beating beneath the floor beds.
Thank you.