A character’s identity consists of many qualities, however, the repression and denial of any aspect can detrimentally affect their well-being and mental state. If the character lives in a society where going against the norm of heterosexuality is considered detestable, the “homosexual panic, the revelation of an unspeakable same-sex desire” (Smith 391) they experience can cause distress and the belief of needing to suppress such feelings. Once a character recognizes their same-sex desire, they enter a state of dread where they fear being discovered and ostracized by society—leading to the unsuccessful suppression of their sexuality. Such anxiety combined with repression of an aspect of their identities can drastically impact a character’s mental
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Poe uses words generally associated with violence such as “accosted” and “wringing” to describe the cordial actions of hugging and shaking hands—customs generally expressing friendship. This harsh contrast not only conveys the narrator’s literal hostility towards Fortunato, but also the opposing forces of love and hate that reside within him. The narrator is torn between his love and desire that come with sexuality and his hatred for the homosexual desire and the confusion and problems it brings to his life. His constant switch between hostile and friendly words displays the desire to suppress the same-sex desire which he finds to be …show more content…
He recognizes that his same-sex desire is part of his identity, and completely suppressing it would cause him to lose a piece of himself. Even though he wishes to destroy his source of shame, Montresor does not outright murder Fortunato and his sexuality, but constructs an elaborate plan to literally wall up his feelings and the man. He chooses his own family catacomb to become the resting place of his sexuality—a place close by, and reserved only for those dear to Montresor. Montresor also has second thoughts about finishing the wall as his goals start to become reality, and even calls to Fortunato as he realizes his sexuality is leaving him. These small details reveal that the narrator does not innately hate his homoeroticism, nor does he truly want to rid himself of
Poe uses words generally associated with violence such as “accosted” and “wringing” to describe the cordial actions of hugging and shaking hands—customs generally expressing friendship. This harsh contrast not only conveys the narrator’s literal hostility towards Fortunato, but also the opposing forces of love and hate that reside within him. The narrator is torn between his love and desire that come with sexuality and his hatred for the homosexual desire and the confusion and problems it brings to his life. His constant switch between hostile and friendly words displays the desire to suppress the same-sex desire which he finds to be …show more content…
He recognizes that his same-sex desire is part of his identity, and completely suppressing it would cause him to lose a piece of himself. Even though he wishes to destroy his source of shame, Montresor does not outright murder Fortunato and his sexuality, but constructs an elaborate plan to literally wall up his feelings and the man. He chooses his own family catacomb to become the resting place of his sexuality—a place close by, and reserved only for those dear to Montresor. Montresor also has second thoughts about finishing the wall as his goals start to become reality, and even calls to Fortunato as he realizes his sexuality is leaving him. These small details reveal that the narrator does not innately hate his homoeroticism, nor does he truly want to rid himself of