This person he has become is created by the repressed fear of the old man's eye. Finally this eye eats away at the narrators conscience until he decides "I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever" (Charters 597). I think in this aspect the writings of Poe in this story are very relative to those of people in present day. Violent actions many times can be related to a repressed fear or motive for the need to do away with something or someone. .
The thought of repressed fear in those that have commited hateful crimes in present day are because of same reason why we saw those crimes committed in the writings of Poe. The fear of getting cought is normal in everyone. This thought along with many others have haunted criminals as well as average people through out all history. The narrator's fear is beneath the surface though out most of the story because he is dealing with it subconsciously. Getting this deep you can find the thought of inner madness. This leads to my next aspect of these stories. .
Inner madness very much so is a result of paranoia caused by thoughts of getting caught or thoughts about crimes committed. Through out the story the narrator talks about madness like it has not over taken him. When he says "You fancy me mad, Madmen know nothing" (Charters 599). This state of denial for inner madness can only be similar to the thoughts we all have. If you think to yourself hard and deep enough, you can dig up a thought so profound and so venomous that have never heard of such a thing or would never speak of it to a soul. Madmen do know nothing and I think the thought this characters inner madness was all in his head. Thoughts of paranoia and repressed fears can be dampened by the antics of a group. They can also be smothered by a fall back guy, someone that you could have in a group. .
The thoughts of what groups are capable of are endless.