Literary Elements In A Rose For Emily, And The Paring Knife

In literature, literary elements are essential components for any literary work. Authors efficiently use literary elements to allow readers an understanding throughout a story. Readers receive a deeper meaning of a story when they decipher a certain literary element. In “Killings,” “A Rose for Emily,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “The Paring Knife,” each author provides a deeper meaning of his story through the literary elements of setting, character, plot, and symbolism.
Setting increases the reader's understanding throughout a story. In "Killings" by Andy Dubus, the narrator describes the setting in depth to allow the reader hints of Matt's indecisiveness. When Matt threatens Richard to take him to Richard's house, the narrator describes the …show more content…
Edgar Allen Poe portrays a clean plot the reader can follow throughout the story. “The Cask of Amontillado” gives a well-structure plot. The short story begins with Montresor confessing a murder, and he introduces his victim. The introduction leads the reader to expect future events. Poe transitions the plot, so the reader briefly knows the main events. Suspense builds up as Montresor fools Fortunato into his family’s catacombs for wine tasting. The story reaches its climax once Montresor begins blocking a wall with Fortunato inside. After Montresor succeeds with his murder, he admits, “My heart grew sick – [from] the dampness of the catacombs” (198). For a brief moment, Montresor feels guilty for his actions, but he claims the atmosphere triggers his guilt. Throughout the short story, Poe structures the plot in a way readers know each transition of the plot. Readers notice “the rather perfect symmetry of opposition between Montresor and Fortunato” because the beginning of the plot explains their views and differences (Stepp 449). Extravagantly, Poe uses a clean plot to make his story understandable, so readers know every detail in the