Narrator and point of view

The short story “William Wilson” by Edgar Allan Poe is told by a first-person narrator who is also the main character. 

The narrator addresses the readers directly as if they were his listeners, able to give their input regarding the story: “Listen, while I tell of the one cause that made this happen” (p. 6, l. 11), or “perhaps no one will object if for a short time I forget my troubles and tell a little about this period” (p. 7, ll. 16-17). This gives the impression of a confession, as the narrator believes he is close to death and wants to be understood and perhaps forgiven: “Death is near (...) I desire, in passing through this dark valley, the understanding of other men.” (p. 6, ll. 12-13). This would appear to suggest that the narrator is truthful, or believes he is truthful, about the events he is retelling.

However, even if the narrator does not intend to lie about hi...