The Irony and Symbolism in “The Cask of Amontillado”
Numerous writers employ literary devices to guide the readers’ understanding of the story’s complexities and general meaning. “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is a perfect example of such skills. The story takes place in Italy during the carnival season, and is a case of premeditated murder. Poe most famous literary works were gothic horror tales, which influenced the development of modern detective story. He fascinated the readers with his talent for building suspense and presenting features of the human mind. Through the used irony and symbolism, Poe enhanced the setting, characters, and plot of this macabre tale.
The story begins with Montresor, the sinister narrator, who …show more content…
First, the carnival is a symbol of freedom and happiness, where people celebrates life. The catacombs represent imprisonment and confinement, where the deaths rest. The Amontillado has different meanings for each character. For Fortunato it represent pleasure; on the contrary for Montresor it symbolize a mean to get his revenge. The irony is present when Fortunato embarks his journey searching for the cask of Amontillado, instead he finds a casket of death. Additionally, Montresor uses the commotion and noises of the carnival, to cover Fortunato’ screams while buried …show more content…
Where a troubled mind execute carefully the steps of his diabolical plant. Additionally, Poe joined symbolism and irony through the plot of the story. For example, the quest of both man through the underground catacombs signify their journey to hell. Ironically, a hell where one will find death and the other one will lose his humanity. While crossing the vaults, Montresor fakes his worry for Fortunato’s health and suggest him to head back. Fortunato respond to him saying “The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me.”(37); mockingly, Montresor answered “True-true.”(38). Montresor chain him to the wall and start to cover the entrance to the crypt with stones. The construction of the wall of bricks represented the suspense of Fortunato’s fate. Could it be a bad joke? Montresor planned to kill Fortunato, but will he actually do it? After the final brick completes the wall, the suspense ends and Fortunato will died. Montresor finds the release from his torment by killing Fortunato, and by the ending lines of the story: “For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.”(89), suggest that such diabolic emotions had not awaken again.
In conclusion, Poe make this story scary with psychology, instead of violence by using irony and symbolism. Such literary devices added humor to the setting, characters, and plot of this morbid tale. At the end of the story, fifty years
Numerous writers employ literary devices to guide the readers’ understanding of the story’s complexities and general meaning. “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is a perfect example of such skills. The story takes place in Italy during the carnival season, and is a case of premeditated murder. Poe most famous literary works were gothic horror tales, which influenced the development of modern detective story. He fascinated the readers with his talent for building suspense and presenting features of the human mind. Through the used irony and symbolism, Poe enhanced the setting, characters, and plot of this macabre tale.
The story begins with Montresor, the sinister narrator, who …show more content…
First, the carnival is a symbol of freedom and happiness, where people celebrates life. The catacombs represent imprisonment and confinement, where the deaths rest. The Amontillado has different meanings for each character. For Fortunato it represent pleasure; on the contrary for Montresor it symbolize a mean to get his revenge. The irony is present when Fortunato embarks his journey searching for the cask of Amontillado, instead he finds a casket of death. Additionally, Montresor uses the commotion and noises of the carnival, to cover Fortunato’ screams while buried …show more content…
Where a troubled mind execute carefully the steps of his diabolical plant. Additionally, Poe joined symbolism and irony through the plot of the story. For example, the quest of both man through the underground catacombs signify their journey to hell. Ironically, a hell where one will find death and the other one will lose his humanity. While crossing the vaults, Montresor fakes his worry for Fortunato’s health and suggest him to head back. Fortunato respond to him saying “The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me.”(37); mockingly, Montresor answered “True-true.”(38). Montresor chain him to the wall and start to cover the entrance to the crypt with stones. The construction of the wall of bricks represented the suspense of Fortunato’s fate. Could it be a bad joke? Montresor planned to kill Fortunato, but will he actually do it? After the final brick completes the wall, the suspense ends and Fortunato will died. Montresor finds the release from his torment by killing Fortunato, and by the ending lines of the story: “For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.”(89), suggest that such diabolic emotions had not awaken again.
In conclusion, Poe make this story scary with psychology, instead of violence by using irony and symbolism. Such literary devices added humor to the setting, characters, and plot of this morbid tale. At the end of the story, fifty years