"The Tell-Tale Heart" is a short story authored by Edgar Allan Poe in which the underlining theme of evil becomes contradictory. Throughout Poe's passages are various instances of the illogical and unreasonable. In particular, the evil is pointed out by the narrator as being a physical evil. However, progression of the story conveys an immediate contrast of a hidden inner evil. Starting off the narrator claims his sanity, "You fancy me mad. But you should have seen me," (Poe 3). It becomes clear the narrator is defensive about himself and his condition. "But why will you say that I am mad?" is a statement that eludes recognition of his latter evil deeds as being an inner driving