The five main elements of a short story to take into account are the characters, the plot, the setting, the theme, and the conflict (Kirszner & Mandell 2012). The short story, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, has a sinister quality that appeals to the reader who ordinarily desires a little “la danse macabre” in an entertaining tale. This is what brings to light the first element to which attention should be given, that of which is the theme. Accordingly, the author Edgar Allan Poe is recognized throughout the literary world as an inspirational writer whose stories of terror have influenced many others to explore and attempt to capture the dark side of human nature. The theme of “The Cask of Amontillado” carries the allegorical
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The narrator of course is Montresor, who was portrayed in the dual part of the protagonist as the main character besides being the antagonist who was the catalyst in the drama itself. The character, Fortunato, was also dual part played out because of the insults which inspired the Montresor to finally seek revenge. The accounting from the perspective of the Montresor is in first person monologues, who otherwise wants the reader to approve of his actions for revenge. The characters, both carried a certain cockiness or confidence in which they believed they were in complete control of the situation. The symbols attached to each character were the costume of Fortunato of the “jester” relaying the picture of a fool, as was the costume of Montresor dressed completely in black attire as the darkness of his thoughts (Kennesaw.edu 2016). The narrator apparently understood his victim’s confidence as a connoisseur and as egotistical enough to fall for the ruse of tasting the …show more content…
For the reader, the conflict is what the final insult? How awful could it have been? What sealed Fortunato’s fate after a “thousand injuries” and not sooner (Poe 1846)? Personally, I have been known to accept personal injuries from loved ones only to forgive again and again. For the narrator to have the patience to wait until the time was perfect for his revenge leaves us with the picture of how much his inner conflict was tearing him in two to commit his crime.
The climax of the story leaves us with Montresor sealing the wall and the unnatural silence of Fortunato when the final brick has been placed (Kirszner & Mandell 2012). Or maybe the climax was how we are left with the mystery of how he realizes his fate. We are left with the image of him waking from his drunken stupor in total darkness alone and therefore confused. The narrator relates how no one has ever disturbed the masonry for half a century and his words for Fortunato is to “In pace requiescat” or to rest in peace (Poe
The narrator of course is Montresor, who was portrayed in the dual part of the protagonist as the main character besides being the antagonist who was the catalyst in the drama itself. The character, Fortunato, was also dual part played out because of the insults which inspired the Montresor to finally seek revenge. The accounting from the perspective of the Montresor is in first person monologues, who otherwise wants the reader to approve of his actions for revenge. The characters, both carried a certain cockiness or confidence in which they believed they were in complete control of the situation. The symbols attached to each character were the costume of Fortunato of the “jester” relaying the picture of a fool, as was the costume of Montresor dressed completely in black attire as the darkness of his thoughts (Kennesaw.edu 2016). The narrator apparently understood his victim’s confidence as a connoisseur and as egotistical enough to fall for the ruse of tasting the …show more content…
For the reader, the conflict is what the final insult? How awful could it have been? What sealed Fortunato’s fate after a “thousand injuries” and not sooner (Poe 1846)? Personally, I have been known to accept personal injuries from loved ones only to forgive again and again. For the narrator to have the patience to wait until the time was perfect for his revenge leaves us with the picture of how much his inner conflict was tearing him in two to commit his crime.
The climax of the story leaves us with Montresor sealing the wall and the unnatural silence of Fortunato when the final brick has been placed (Kirszner & Mandell 2012). Or maybe the climax was how we are left with the mystery of how he realizes his fate. We are left with the image of him waking from his drunken stupor in total darkness alone and therefore confused. The narrator relates how no one has ever disturbed the masonry for half a century and his words for Fortunato is to “In pace requiescat” or to rest in peace (Poe