The Tell-Tale heart Edgar allan poe UE!-nervous- very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses-not destroyed- not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily- how calmly I can tell the whole st It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me nd night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had ne=iver wronged me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire. I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! He had the eye of a vulture2-a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees- very gradually -I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever Now this is the point You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded- with what caution- with what foresight-with what dissimulation I went to work! I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it oh so gently! And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly-very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old mans sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his bed. Ha! would a madman have been so wise as this, And then, when my head was well in the room, I undid the lantern cautiously-oh, so cautiously cautiously (for the hinges creaked)-I undid it just so much that a single thin ray fell upon the vulture eye. And this I did for seven long nights- every night just at midnight- but I found the eye al ways closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he has passed the night. So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch's minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own owers-of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was, opening the door, little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I fairly chuckled at the idea; and perhaps he heard me, for he moved on the bed suddenly, as if startle Now you may think that I drew back- but no. His room was as black as pitch with the thick darkness, (for the shutters were close fastened, through fear of robbers, ) and so I knew that he could not see the opening of the door, and i kept pushing it on steadily, steadily I had my head in, and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin 1 The tale-tell heart:译为"泄密的心”。意指主人公杀害老人后,其幻觉使他将老人怀表走动的声音跟心脏 的跳声混淆了,而最终向警方将犯案事实供认不讳。 2 Vulture:秃鹰。此处用 vulture's eye,即鹰眼来形容老人的双眼,突出者双眼带给主人公的莫名恐惧
The Tell-Tale Heart1 Edgar Allan Poe TRUE! - nervous - very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses - not destroyed - not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily - how calmly I can tell you the whole story. It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had ne=iver wronged me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire. I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! He had the eye of a vulture2 - a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees - very gradually - I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever. Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded - with what caution - with what foresight - with what dissimulation I went to work! I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it - oh so gently! And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly - very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his bed. Ha! would a madman have been so wise as this, And then, when my head was well in the room, I undid the lantern cautiously-oh, so cautiously - cautiously (for the hinges creaked) - I undid it just so much that a single thin ray fell upon the vulture eye. And this I did for seven long nights - every night just at midnight - but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he has passed the night. So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept. Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch's minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers - of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was, opening the door, little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I fairly chuckled at the idea; and perhaps he heard me; for he moved on the bed suddenly, as if startled. Now you may think that I drew back - but no. His room was as black as pitch with the thick darkness, (for the shutters were close fastened, through fear of robbers,) and so I knew that he could not see the opening of the door, and I kept pushing it on steadily, steadily. I had my head in, and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin 1 The tale-tell heart: 译为“泄密的心”。意指主人公杀害老人后，其幻觉使他将老人怀表走动的声音跟心脏 的跳声混淆了，而最终向警方将犯案事实供认不讳。 2 Vulture: 秃鹰。此处用 vulture’s eye, 即鹰眼来形容老人的双眼，突出者双眼带给主人公的莫名恐惧
fastening, and the old man sprang up in bed, crying out-Who's there? I kept quite still and said nothing. For a whole hour I did not move a muscle, and meantime I did not hear him lie down. He was still sitting up in the bed listening;-just as done, night after night, hearkening to the death watches in the wall Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or of grief -oh, no!- it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart. I knew that he had been lying awake ever since the first slight noise, when he had turned in the bed His fears had been ever since growing upon him. He had been trying to fancy them causeless, but could not He had been saying to himself -"It is nothing but the wind in the chimney-it is only a mouse crossing the floor, "or "It is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp. "Yes, he had been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions: but he had found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in approaching him had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim. And it was the mournful influence of the unperceived shadow that caused him to feel- al though he neither saw nor heard- to feel the presence of my head within the room. When I had waited a long time, very patiently, without hearing him lie down, I resolved open a little-a very, very little crevice in the lantern So I opened it- you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily- until, at length a simple dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and fell full upon the vulture eye c It was open-wide, wide open-and I grew furious as I gazed upon it I saw it with perfect istinctness'-all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones but I could see nothing else of the old man,'s face or person: for I had directed the ray as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned spot And have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over-acuteness of the sense? now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I knew that sound well, too. It was the beating of the old man,s heart. It increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage But even yet I refrained and kept still. I scarcely breathed I held the lantern motionless. I tried how steadily I could maintain the ray upon the eye. Meantime the hellish tattoo of the heart increased. It grew quicker and quicker, and louder and louder every instant. The old mans terror must have been extreme! It grew louder, I say, louder every moment!-do you mark me wellI have told you that I am nervous: so I am. And now at the dead hour of the night, amid the dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror. Yet, for some minutes longer I refrained and stood still. But the beating grew louder, louder! I thought the heart must burst. And now a new anxiety seized me-the sound would be heard by a neighbour! Distinctness:清晰度.意指主人公、将老人的眼睛看得真真切切。 团浑浊的蓝色,蒙着层可怕的阴翳,它使我每一根骨头的骨髓都凉透。这里着重描写主人公对老人双 目的恐惧。 Refrained:控制自己的情绪。 Tat too:咚咚连敲声,此指心跳。 Mark me well:理解我的意思。Mark:注意,留意
fastening, and the old man sprang up in bed, crying out - "Who's there?" I kept quite still and said nothing. For a whole hour I did not move a muscle, and in the meantime I did not hear him lie down. He was still sitting up in the bed listening; - just as I have done, night after night, hearkening to the death watches in the wall. Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or of grief - oh, no! - it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart. I knew that he had been lying awake ever since the first slight noise, when he had turned in the bed. His fears had been ever since growing upon him. He had been trying to fancy them causeless, but could not. He had been saying to himself - "It is nothing but the wind in the chimney - it is only a mouse crossing the floor," or "It is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp." Yes, he had been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions: but he had found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in approaching him had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim. And it was the mournful influence of the unperceived shadow that caused him to feel - although he neither saw nor heard - to feel the presence of my head within the room. When I had waited a long time, very patiently, without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open a little - a very, very little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it - you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily - until, at length a simple dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and fell full upon the vulture eye. It was open - wide, wide open - and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness3 - all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones4 ; but I could see nothing else of the old man's face or person: for I had directed the ray as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned spot. And have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over-acuteness of the sense? - now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I knew that sound well, too. It was the beating of the old man's heart. It increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage. But even yet I refrained 5 and kept still. I scarcely breathed. I held the lantern motionless. I tried how steadily I could maintain the ray upon the eye. Meantime the hellish tattoo6 of the heart increased. It grew quicker and quicker, and louder and louder every instant. The old man's terror must have been extreme! It grew louder, I say, louder every moment! - do you mark me well7 I have told you that I am nervous: so I am. And now at the dead hour of the night, amid the dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror. Yet, for some minutes longer I refrained and stood still. But the beating grew louder, louder! I thought the heart must burst. And now a new anxiety seized me - the sound would be heard by a neighbour! 3 Distinctnes: 清晰度. 意指主人公、将老人的眼睛看得真真切切。 4 一团浑浊的蓝色，蒙着层可怕的阴翳，它使我每一根骨头的骨髓都凉透。这里着重描写主人公对老人双 目的恐惧。 5 Refrained：控制自己的情绪。 6 Tattoo：咚咚连敲声，此指心跳。 7 Mark me well: 理解我的意思。Mark：注意，留意
The old mans hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room. He shrieked once-once only. In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him. I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done. But, for many minutes, the heart on with a muffled sound. This, however, did not vex me; it would not be heard through the At length it ceased. The old man was dead. I removed the bed and examined the corpse. Yes, he was stone, stone dead. I placed my hand upon the heart and held it there many minutes. There was no pulsation. He was stone dead His eye would trouble me no more If still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the concealment of the body. The night waned", and I worked hastily, but in silence. First of all I dismembered the corpse. I cut off the head and the arms and the legs I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye-not even his could have detected any thing wrong There was nothing to wash out- no stain of any kind-no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary for that. A tub had caught all -ha! ha! When I had made an end of these labors. it was four o'clock still dark as midnight. As the bell sounded the hour, there came a knocking at the street door. I went down to open it with a light heart,-for what had I now to fear? There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with erfect suavity 2, as officers of the police. a shriek had been heard by a neighbour during the night, suspicion of foul play had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they(the officers)had been deputed to search the premises I smiled,-for what had I to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned, was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house. I bade them search - search well. I led them at length, to his chamber. I showed them his treasures, secure, undisturbed. In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the oom,and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my erfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced them. I was singularly+at ease. They sat,and while I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things. But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chatted. The ringing became more distinct:- It continued and became more distinct: I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained definiteness until, at length, I found that the noise was not within my ears No doubt I now grew very pale; but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound increased-and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick sound -much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath- and yet the officers heard it not I Muffled:听不清的:蒙住的:压抑的。 ° Stone dead:彻底死了。 10夜色渐渐退去。主人公必须在天亮之前藏好老人的尸体。 Dismember:肢解 Suavity:温和,文雅。 1 Foul play:不正当行为,此指犯罪,谋杀。邻居在夜里听到了老人的尖叫,担心老人遭遇不幸。邻居已 青晰听到老人的尖叫,而主人公却只专注于老人的心跳 Singularly:异常地:非常地:令人无法理解地。此指杀了人的主人公从容面对警察询问,令人不可思 议 15指主人公所听到的老人的“心跳”愈发清晰
The old man's hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room. He shrieked once - once only. In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him. I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done. But, for many minutes, the heart beat on with a muffled8 sound. This, however, did not vex me; it would not be heard through the wall. At length it ceased. The old man was dead. I removed the bed and examined the corpse. Yes, he was stone, stone dead. 9 I placed my hand upon the heart and held it there many minutes. There was no pulsation. He was stone dead. His eye would trouble me no more. If still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the concealment of the body. The night waned10, and I worked hastily, but in silence. First of all I dismembered11 the corpse. I cut off the head and the arms and the legs. I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye - not even his - could have detected any thing wrong. There was nothing to wash out - no stain of any kind - no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary for that. A tub had caught all - ha! ha! When I had made an end of these labors, it was four o'clock - still dark as midnight. As the bell sounded the hour, there came a knocking at the street door. I went down to open it with a light heart, - for what had I now to fear? There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity12, as officers of the police. A shriek had been heard by a neighbour during the night; suspicion of foul play13 had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they (the officers) had been deputed to search the premises. I smiled, - for what had I to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned, was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house. I bade them search - search well. I led them, at length, to his chamber. I showed them his treasures, secure, undisturbed. In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim. The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced them. I was singularly14 at ease. They sat, and while I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things. But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chatted. The ringing became more distinct: - It continued and became more distinct: I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained definiteness15 - until, at length, I found that the noise was not within my ears. No doubt I now grew very pale; but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound increased - and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick sound - much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath - and yet the officers heard it not. I 8 Muffled: 听不清的；蒙住的；压抑的。 9 Stone dead: 彻底死了。 10 夜色渐渐退去。主人公必须在天亮之前藏好老人的尸体。 11 Dismember：肢解。 12 Suavity: 温和，文雅。 13 Foul play: 不正当行为，此指犯罪，谋杀。邻居在夜里听到了老人的尖叫，担心老人遭遇不幸。邻居已 清晰听到老人的尖叫，而主人公却只专注于老人的心跳， 14 Singularly: 异常地；非常地；令人无法理解地。此指杀了人的主人公从容面对警察询问，令人不可思 议。 15 指主人公所听到的老人的“心跳”愈发清晰
talked more quickly -more vehemently but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men- but the noise steadily increased. Oh God! what could I do?1foamed-I raved-I swore! II swung the chair upon which I had been sitting and grated % it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder- louder-louder And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God no, no! They heard!- they suspected!-they knew!- they were making a mockery of my horrorI-this I thought, and this I think But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! and now-again!.hark!21 louder! louder! louder! louder! lains!"I shrieked, " dissemble 2no more! I admit the deed!- tear up the planks! 23here here!- It is the beating of his hideous heart t6 Vehement:感情强烈的,猛烈的 Gesticulation:手势,姿势 令凸显主人公愈发受到“心跳声”的刺激。Foam:大怒,气得口沫横飞:rave:咆哮:语无伦次地说。 Grate:擦响,磨响:使发出摩擦声。 Hypocritical:虚伪的 2Hark:古语,听(常用于命令句)。 assemble:掩饰,假装。 2 Plank:木板。主人公把尸体肢解并埋在了老人卧房的地板之下
talked more quickly - more vehemently16; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations17; but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men - but the noise steadily increased. Oh God! what could I do? I foamed - I raved - I swore! 18I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated 19it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder - louder - louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God! - no, no! They heard! - they suspected! - they knew! - they were making a mockery of my horror!-this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical20 smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! and now - again! - hark!21 louder! louder! louder! louder! "Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble 22no more! I admit the deed! - tear up the planks!23 here, here! - It is the beating of his hideous heart!" 16 Vehement: 感情强烈的, 猛烈的。 17 Gesticulation: 手势, 姿势。 18 凸显主人公愈发受到“心跳声”的刺激。Foam: 大怒，气得口沫横飞；rave: 咆哮；语无伦次地说。 19 Grate: 擦响，磨响；使发出摩擦声。 20 Hypocritical: 虚伪的。 21 Hark: 古语，听（常用于命令句）。 22 Dissemble: 掩饰，假装。 23 Plank: 木板。主人公把尸体肢解并埋在了老人卧房的地板之下
食析 《泄密的心》可谓是爱伦坡小说风格的代表,情节紧凑,初读简单明了,直切如题,无 任何旁支错节,有时甚至觉得故事铺成太过简洁,直击紧张高潮,使人措手不及。乍看这则 小说似乎是讲述一个疯子毫无目的地杀死了老人。然而,小说不可能没有动机,正如电影拍 摄的布景,只要在片头看到了抢,那么它绝不可能是平白无故的存在。爱伦坡的文字魅力来 源于其对艺术的把控与对人心的深刻剖析,使小说每读一回便产生更深刻地哲思。 小说的主角是一个“神经过敏”的人,坚称自己没疯,却用第一人称的叙述法清晰地展 现了一个“疯子”的图景。他自述了自己谋杀同住的一位老人的经过。他与老人之间并无冤 仇,也无意于老人的财产,一切只因老人那双眼睛使他产生了固执的杀人念头。他花了整整 八天时间策划杀人的全过程,终于第八天夜里,谋杀得手,之后他把尸体肢解并埋在了老人 卧房的地板之下。凌晨时分,虽然他一开始对警员的询问从容应对、对答如流,但是他的幻 觉使他将老人怀表走动的声音跟心脏的跳声混淆了。不一会儿就被死者“心跳”的巨大声响 惊吓得失常错乱,对杀人直认不讳。 眼睛是心灵的窗户。老人的眼睛仿佛一面镜子,透过这面镜子实则折射的是主人公本身。 主人公从老人的“鹰眼”中仿佛看到了自己的恐惧和阴暗面,故想通过杀死老人来消除自己 内心的恐惧。可以说,老人的那双“鹰眼”透射出的是主人公心底尚未传达于文中的罪过。 因此,对主人公而言,他所杀的并不是老人,因为他根本没有杀人的理由。正如文中所 述,“我爱那老头。他压根儿没得罪我。他压根没侮辱我。我也不贪图他的金银财宝。大概 是那只眼睛作祟吧!不错,正是那只眼睛作祟!他长了一只鹰眼—一浅蓝色的,蒙着层薄膜。 只要瞅我一眼,我就浑身发毛;因此心里渐渐一一逐步逐步一一打定主意,结果他的性命, 好永远不再瞅见那只眼睛。” 事实上,主人公是杀死了另一个罪恶的自己。眼睛折射出的是一个人最深处的思想和灵 魂,可谓是一个最真实完整的人。“Eye”的发音与“I”相同,这种偶然也可看出,眼睛就 是一个人的完全体现。杀死老人前,老人的尖叫甚至让邻居大受惊吓,甚至报警。而对主人 公而言,老人尖叫带来的恐惧与其“鹰眼”相比,简直可以忽略不计。由此便可看出,他对 那双眼睛的执著和畏惧 爱伦坡不愧为“恐怖小说之父”。他的小说不能称为恐怖,而是被阴森的气氛笼罩,揭 示出人最隐密的内心活动,刻划出人不愿面对的丑恶,成为西方哥特小说的典。小说不会将 读者吓得不敢凑近窥探,他用其丰富的想象、新颖的手法、诡异的情节、细致地心理刻画, 引导读者深入解密,去揭开那层不满阴霾的纱,从而洞悉更深刻的哲理,引人深思 周艾琳10300120204翻译
赏析： 《泄密的心》可谓是爱伦坡小说风格的代表，情节紧凑，初读简单明了，直切如题，无 任何旁支错节，有时甚至觉得故事铺成太过简洁，直击紧张高潮，使人措手不及。乍看这则 小说似乎是讲述一个疯子毫无目的地杀死了老人。然而，小说不可能没有动机，正如电影拍 摄的布景，只要在片头看到了抢，那么它绝不可能是平白无故的存在。爱伦坡的文字魅力来 源于其对艺术的把控与对人心的深刻剖析，使小说每读一回便产生更深刻地哲思。 小说的主角是一个“神经过敏”的人，坚称自己没疯，却用第一人称的叙述法清晰地展 现了一个“疯子”的图景。他自述了自己谋杀同住的一位老人的经过。他与老人之间并无冤 仇，也无意于老人的财产，一切只因老人那双眼睛使他产生了固执的杀人念头。他花了整整 八天时间策划杀人的全过程，终于第八天夜里，谋杀得手，之后他把尸体肢解并埋在了老人 卧房的地板之下。凌晨时分，虽然他一开始对警员的询问从容应对、对答如流，但是他的幻 觉使他将老人怀表走动的声音跟心脏的跳声混淆了。不一会儿就被死者“心跳”的巨大声响 惊吓得失常错乱，对杀人直认不讳。 眼睛是心灵的窗户。老人的眼睛仿佛一面镜子，透过这面镜子实则折射的是主人公本身。 主人公从老人的“鹰眼”中仿佛看到了自己的恐惧和阴暗面，故想通过杀死老人来消除自己 内心的恐惧。可以说，老人的那双“鹰眼”透射出的是主人公心底尚未传达于文中的罪过。 因此，对主人公而言，他所杀的并不是老人，因为他根本没有杀人的理由。正如文中所 述，“我爱那老头。他压根儿没得罪我。他压根没侮辱我。我也不贪图他的金银财宝。大概 是那只眼睛作祟吧！不错，正是那只眼睛作祟！他长了一只鹰眼——浅蓝色的，蒙着层薄膜。 只要瞅我一眼，我就浑身发毛；因此心里渐渐——逐步逐步——打定主意，结果他的性命， 好永远不再瞅见那只眼睛。 ” 事实上，主人公是杀死了另一个罪恶的自己。眼睛折射出的是一个人最深处的思想和灵 魂，可谓是一个最真实完整的人。“Eye”的发音与“I”相同，这种偶然也可看出，眼睛就 是一个人的完全体现。杀死老人前，老人的尖叫甚至让邻居大受惊吓，甚至报警。而对主人 公而言，老人尖叫带来的恐惧与其“鹰眼”相比，简直可以忽略不计。由此便可看出，他对 那双眼睛的执著和畏惧。 爱伦坡不愧为“恐怖小说之父”。他的小说不能称为恐怖，而是被阴森的气氛笼罩，揭 示出人最隐密的内心活动，刻划出人不愿面对的丑恶，成为西方哥特小说的典。小说不会将 读者吓得不敢凑近窥探，他用其丰富的想象、新颖的手法、诡异的情节、细致地心理刻画， 引导读者深入解密，去揭开那层不满阴霾的纱，从而洞悉更深刻的哲理，引人深思。 周艾琳 10300120204 翻译