Jurnal Ilmiah Nusantara
Vol. 3 No. 6 (2026): Jurnal Ilmiah Nusantara November 2026

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONFLICT THROUGH PLOT IN EDGAR ALLAN POE’S THE TELL-TALE HEART

Kezia Meily Nicharisa S (Department of English Language and Literature, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Methodist Indonesia)
Aprilia Anzani (Department of English Language and Literature, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Methodist Indonesia)
Eunike Anastasya Manurung (Department of English Language and Literature, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Methodist Indonesia)
Nurhayati Purba (Department of English Language and Literature, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Methodist Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study analyzes the development of conflict through plot structure in The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. The research aims to identify the types of conflict presented in the story and explain how the plot contributes to the progression of these conflicts. This study employs a qualitative descriptive method using the short story as the primary data source. The analysis is based on Freytag’s Pyramid Theory to examine plot stages such as exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, and Stanton’s Conflict Theory to classify conflicts into internal and external types. The findings reveal that internal psychological conflict dominates the narrative, reflected in the narrator’s obsession, fear, guilt, and paranoia, while external conflict appears between the narrator, the old man, and the police. The plot structure gradually intensifies these conflicts at each stage, culminating in the narrator’s confession and psychological collapse. The interaction between plot and conflict strengthens narrative tension and reinforces the theme of madness. Therefore, plot and conflict function interdependently in shaping the psychological and structural development of the story.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jinu

Publisher

Subject

Computer Science & IT Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Economics, Econometrics & Finance Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

JURNAL ILMIAH NUSANTARA (JINU), adalah jurnal yang ditujukan untuk publikasi artikel ilmiah yang diterbitkan oleh Kampus Akademik Publising .Jurnal Ilmiah Nusantara ( JINU) merupakan platform publikasi jurnal Karya suatu hasil penelitian orisinil atau tinjauan Pustaka yang ditulis oleh dosen atau ...