What is the Difference Between Doing Wrong and Being Evil? Implications for Marriage Part 1 of 2

In 1843, Edgar Allen Poe wrote his famous story, “The Tell-Tale Heart.” It is about, in part, the guilt of a mentally disturbed young man who killed an older man, and what that guilt led him to do.  In more recent times, Woody Allen, in his film, “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” tells a similar story of a murder followed by guilt but with an entirely different ending, recalls Marriage Counseling Naples.

In the Poe story, a young man, who shared a house with an older man, decided to kill the older man.  Late one night, while the older man was in his bed, the young man killed him.  The old man screamed as he was being attacked.  Neighbors heard the commotion and informed the police of what they heard.  By the time the police arrived at 4 am, the young man had buried the old man beneath the floor planks of the house and cleaned up his room.  When the police came to inspect the premises, the young man told the officers that the old man had gone out of town.

But as the young man was talking to the police, he began to hear a noise. At first, he thought it was a ringing in his ears, but realized it came from elsewhere.   He tried to talk over it, but to no avail.  The sound only grewlouder.  And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled,Poe concludes his story (slightly edited).  Was it possible they heard not?  No, no.  They heard!  They suspected!  They knew. They were making a mockery of my horror! …I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer!  I felt that I must scream or die!  And now again… louder! louder! louder! louder! ‘Villains!’ I shrieked, ‘dissemble [masquerade] no more! I admit the deed!Tear up the planks! Here, here!  It is the beating of his hideous heart! Marriage counseling Fort Myers notes this story provides a vivid picture of guilt.  The young man felt the burden of his guilt so acutely that he had to confess.

Marriage Counseling Cape Coral points out that one of the story lines in Woody Allen’s film was about a married, wealthy doctor who had an affair.  After two years, the mistress demanded that the man divorce his wife or she would tell all, including some of his shady financial dealings.  Fearful of what could become of his marriage and reputation, he speaks with his brother who has links to the underworld. A “hit” is ordered.

Continuedin part 2

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