Lumpkin Nicholas Lumpkin ENC 1102 Mrs.

Jacobs April 7, 2014 Research Paper: The Cask of Amontillado

A story of hate, murder and revenge. However The Cask of Amontillado, goes much deeper than the words that it is written with. Through the use of particular symbols, physical or not, Edgar Allan Poe portrays a story in which the characters intertwine with the setting and objects in a way to subtlety give the reader a untold verbal story. The story starts with the main character, Montresor. Who starts the story off by telling the audience that he is beyond hurt by Fortunato, he is insulted. We see Montresor, who is to the point of insanity, manipulate and deceive Fortunato so he can ultimately murder him. From Fortunatos lust for the Amontillado wine he is lured deep into Montresors catacombs which is Fortunatos final resting place. Poes mind, shaped by his environment, is shown through his writing. His use of symbols gives an indepth view of the characters emotions in a way that places the reader in the shoes of Fortunato and Montresor. Poe is known for giving a horror undertone to his stories and poems in a sense that its not direct, but eased on the audience. Thus giving us The Cask of Amontillado, which would have to be one of the best works by Poe through depicting the writing style he is known for. In the story it is assumed that Fortunato and Montresor were once friends, however Montresor has some type of grudge towards Fortunato to where he plans Fortunatos death. The use of symbolism Poe writes in a way of two extremes, life and death. The life of a festival, to the

Lumpkin extreme of death at Montresors ancestral catacombs. The cynical undertone of Montresor gives just slightly enough to where Fortunato, though drunk, doesn't quite catch. Poes use of objects, for example the Amontillado in itself, is symbol is for fortune and wealth. Montresor knows that Fortunato has nearly an addiction to wine and that the offer of Amontillado is irresistible, which is his trap for him. While Fortunato indulges the Amontillado in Montresors cellar, Poe writes how they view the skulls of Montresors ancestors. The foreshadowing of death is all around them but Fortunatos ignorance blinds him from Montresors plans.

Symbols are scattered throughout the story, for example Fortunatos name in itself. Fortunato literally stands for fortuna in Latin, deriving from the Latin word fortunatus. Though Poe didn't create the name in the original format, Fortunato stands for fortune and/or luck. Giving him an ironic name but also an symbolic name. Reason being that Fortunato ends up being not so lucky and being murdered in the worst way possible in Montresors point of view. Poe also gives this symbolic meaning to Montresors name as well. There was an actual Count of Montresor who tried to assassinate Cardinal Richelieu, tying the name together with luck and murder with factual origin. (Benton) Another example of symbolic meanings comes from a place in the story when Montresor brings his unknowingly victim, Fortunato, to his ancestors catacombs. Implying that Fortunato didn't just insult and cause mental injury to Montresor but that Fortunato also insults Montresors ancestors buried in the catacombs. This is the point in the story where Poe gives his characteristic undertone of horror for the reader but not the actual characters themselves. He describes them walking through the bones of Montresors dead ancestors while also describing the scene to paint the picture in the heads of the reader, dark, horrifying, death ridden. However

Lumpkin the characters, besides Montresor, including the actual carnival party goers are oblivious to the fact that murder is about to take place. To Montresor this is the perfect revenge, for example when Fortunato yells pitifully, For the love of god, Montresor!. Then while almost a sigh of relief Montresor exclaims Yes, for the love of God(Delaney). For Montresor, Fortunato got what was coming his way and that he got the punishment he deserved. Irony occurs in the story where Fortunato is told wearing a Jester outfit to the carnival. A subtle detail in the story, but it is an ironic symbolism that Montresor thinks that Fortunato is a fool similar to his outfit. It is implied to the reader that this is how Montresor thinks, from symbols such as the costume. Creating an almost ignorance to Fortunato and the other party goers at the carnival. However the costume of the jester might just be a way for Montresor to humiliate Fortunato. There came forth in return only a jingling of the bells. My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs that made it so (The Cask" 1263). On the other hand one could look at the carnival in a whole and see that while a carnival is supposed to stand for a time of celebration and enjoyment, while Montresor has other more insidious ideas. The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge (The Cask 1261). The mystery and undertone of a horror story can be understood by the understanding the author, Edgar Allan Poe. His childhood and environment shaped the way he writes stories such as The Cask of Amontillado. At the age of two his mother, Elizabeth Poe, died causing early dramatic events in Edgars life. He was then taken in by Mr. and Mrs. Allan. At the age of 17, Edgar was near the edge of dropping out of school due to the fact that he could no longer afford it, even though Mr. Allan made plenty amount of money. This caused Edgar to indulge on mass amounts of alcohol and engulfed himself in debt. Forced into the military, some will say this is

Lumpkin where he came to be a dark horror poet and story writer. Reaching the ranks of sergeant major he was soon released for not doing his duties in the military. Driven to the point of absolute depression, Mr. Allan refused to sent him any money to Edgar. Causing Edgar to stumbled into New York with no friends, no money and in deep debt, struggled to become a poet and writer. Finally getting a break he became a newspaper editor from a contest he won. In 1834 Mr. Allan died not mentioning Edgar in his will at all. Soon after, in 1836, at the age of 27 Edgar married his 13 year old cousin, Virginia. (Short Story Criticism 125) For better or for worse, Poes mind and how he paints a picture in the audiences head through poetry and stories, Poe is an amazing author. From events in his life, good or bad, created great works such as The Cask of Amontillado. With the use of symbols, characterization, and figurative language, Poe intertwines these elements throughout the story, The Cask of Amontillado. Did Montresor get his final justice and Fortunato his final punishment? The final taunt of Fortunato laughing as Montresor while rebuilding the wall closed, belittles the once perfect revenge. Poe leaves us to be the judge on whether or not Montresor is pleased with what he has done.

Work Cited

"Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)." Short Story Criticism. Ed. Jelena Krstovic. Vol. 111. Detroit: Gale, Cengage Learning, 2008. 125-249. Literature Criticism Online. Gale. . 17 April 2014

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Baraban, Elena V. "The Motive for Murder in 'The Cask of Amontillado'." Rocky Mountain Review 58.2 (Fall 2004): 47-62. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Vol. 111. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.

Delaney, Bill. Poes The Cask of Amontillado. The Explicator 64.1 (2005): 33+ Literature Resource Center. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.

Benton, Richard P. The Cask of Amontillado: Overview. Reference Guide to Short Fiction. Ed. Watson. Detriot: St. James Press, 1994. Literature Resource Center. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.

Poe, Edgar. The Cask of Amontillado. The Norton Introduction to Literature. 11th Ed. Kelly j. Mays. Ney York W.w Norton and Company, Inc., 2013. Print