Literary Elements In The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allen Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne are two American writers who have defined literature as we know it today. Both authors are important in the development of American literature because of their creative way to use literary elements. Literary elements can be defined as “the typical structures used by writers in their works to convey their message in a simple manner to the readers. When employed properly, the different literary devices help readers to appreciate, interpret and analyze a literary work.” So what was the strongest literary element that help to convey Poe and Hawthorne’s message? Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe best engage their readers by drawing them into Romanticism through the use of symbolism. One of Poe’s …show more content…
This allows the reader to really think about why something is happening or why the characters act the way they do. In this story, Fortunato is a symbolic reference and Fortunato means “the fortunate one”. Ironically, throughout the story, Fortunato is being prepped by Montresor in order for him to kill Fortunato. Also the costume that Fortunato wears is another example in the story because it aligns with the metaphor of Fortunato being a jester or fool. Throughout the story, Fortunato is oblivious to Montresor’s true intentions especially during the carnival celebration. Another symbol in the story is the cask of Amontillado because it is used to intoxicate Fortunato to the next level. He then follows Montresor into the catacombs unaware of his premeditated murderous …show more content…
The obvious theme in this story is that no one can escape “secret sin”. “During his conversation with Elizabeth, the Reverend Mr. Hooper suggests that all mortals could cover their faces just as he has because all have some secret sin or sorrow” (Dark Romanticism). Throughout the story the reader and the townspeople are left wondering why Mr. Hooper is wearing this black veil is. Several times in the story, Hawthorne mentions “secret sin,” and that this may be the cause for the black veil that the preacher has begun to wear (Hawthorne). We see that the black veil (a symbol) and the theme is connected. Nathaniel Hawthorne purposely found a way to connect to the theme of symbolism in order to show characteristics of Dark romanticism. Overall, Hawthorne uses the theme to draw the reader into Dark Romanticism by using the idea that all people are prone to sin and self