The Catacombs
“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is a short story full of suspense, mystery, and irony. Edgar Allan Poe ensures that the reader is engaged as well as entertained while reading his stories by using various literary techniques such as hyperbole, suspense, mystery, and irony. The use of these literary techniques in Poe’s stories allows him to develop his plot without losing his audience’s attention. In this short story Montresor, who is the narrator, is carefully planning his revenge on Fortunato, an unfortunate soul who walks blindly into his demise.
Since the beginning of the short story the reader is able to see that Fortunato has clearly offended Montresor with an insult. This causes Montresor to seek vengeance …show more content…
He includes certain words and phrases that sends chills down the reader’s spine. This ofcourse ensures that the reader is fully engaged in the short story as well as entertained by what they are reading. The suspense and mystery in the short story play a key role in the development of the story. Montresor, now describing their surroundings, mentions “long walls of piled skeletons, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs” (537). This not only reveals to the reader the setting in which Montresor and Fortunato are in, but it builds up the suspense of the short story. The reader can fully visualize as the they read the story because of the vivid imagery and detailed description that is present. This quote is a great example of how a detailed description can set the tone for the story. Poe uses this quote not only to reveal the setting but to truly impact and shock the readers. The word “skeletons” creates a mysterious tone, allowing Poe to use mystery as a literary device that helps develop his characters as well as the setting of the short story. Catacombs in general are seen as frightening and eerie, which also helps contribute to the suspense and mystery in the short …show more content…
Again Poe uses vivid imagery to create suspense in the short story. Montresor mentions that “But now there came from out the niche a low laugh that erected the hairs upon my head” (539). This quote in particular refers to how Montresor realizes that Fortunato is alive and no longer drunk, even though he has almost finished placing the tiers. Montresor carries out his revenge without feeling remorse or guilt for killing his old friend. Poe uses this quote to show to the reader how Montresor’s character has no guilt, but also to show how mystery plays a key role in the story. The laugh clearly startles Montresor since he thinks that Fortunato has died, not only does it reveal how Fortunato is a resilient character, it shows how Montresor also has fears. Poe used this quote to reveal another characteristic of Montresor, he shows that he has frears, making him more relatable to the readers. The use of mystery and suspense allows Poe to manipulate the plot of the story and keep his audience engaged while
“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is a short story full of suspense, mystery, and irony. Edgar Allan Poe ensures that the reader is engaged as well as entertained while reading his stories by using various literary techniques such as hyperbole, suspense, mystery, and irony. The use of these literary techniques in Poe’s stories allows him to develop his plot without losing his audience’s attention. In this short story Montresor, who is the narrator, is carefully planning his revenge on Fortunato, an unfortunate soul who walks blindly into his demise.
Since the beginning of the short story the reader is able to see that Fortunato has clearly offended Montresor with an insult. This causes Montresor to seek vengeance …show more content…
He includes certain words and phrases that sends chills down the reader’s spine. This ofcourse ensures that the reader is fully engaged in the short story as well as entertained by what they are reading. The suspense and mystery in the short story play a key role in the development of the story. Montresor, now describing their surroundings, mentions “long walls of piled skeletons, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs” (537). This not only reveals to the reader the setting in which Montresor and Fortunato are in, but it builds up the suspense of the short story. The reader can fully visualize as the they read the story because of the vivid imagery and detailed description that is present. This quote is a great example of how a detailed description can set the tone for the story. Poe uses this quote not only to reveal the setting but to truly impact and shock the readers. The word “skeletons” creates a mysterious tone, allowing Poe to use mystery as a literary device that helps develop his characters as well as the setting of the short story. Catacombs in general are seen as frightening and eerie, which also helps contribute to the suspense and mystery in the short …show more content…
Again Poe uses vivid imagery to create suspense in the short story. Montresor mentions that “But now there came from out the niche a low laugh that erected the hairs upon my head” (539). This quote in particular refers to how Montresor realizes that Fortunato is alive and no longer drunk, even though he has almost finished placing the tiers. Montresor carries out his revenge without feeling remorse or guilt for killing his old friend. Poe uses this quote to show to the reader how Montresor’s character has no guilt, but also to show how mystery plays a key role in the story. The laugh clearly startles Montresor since he thinks that Fortunato has died, not only does it reveal how Fortunato is a resilient character, it shows how Montresor also has fears. Poe used this quote to reveal another characteristic of Montresor, he shows that he has frears, making him more relatable to the readers. The use of mystery and suspense allows Poe to manipulate the plot of the story and keep his audience engaged while