Alexander Belyaev Belyaev 1

A3

The Cask of Amontillado Analysis

Edgar Allen Poe was an American poet, editor, and author. Best known for his tales of

mystery and detective fiction genre. In The cask of Amontillado we observe a murder

story from the first person-murderer himself. Poe used characterization so the readers

would feel what its like to be a killer. This makes story even more horrifying. By

imagery/sensory author explains what a victim feels like, what emotions Fortunato goes

through. Edgar Poe reveals how crazy the speaker is by including irony into the piece.

(Characterization) Montresor is a very interesting person as a character. In the story

he kind of explains his actions, logic and psychology he follows when murdering

Fortunato. Poe explained character so good, that readers get into depths of murderers

mind and truly understand how insane he is. He is the one you would never want to

meet at night underground, because he has mental illness. Readers can tell it from the

way he narrates the whole story, in a cold manner. He talks about a murder like it is an

average thing to do, just like to buy a gallon of milk in a store. He is insane.

Montresor is obsessed with revenge. He seems sensitive only in case of his family

background. He is smart, because he controls Fortunato just like a puppet, making him

go even further into the catacombs. He is good in planning, because his plan worked

just like a Swiss watch-perfect. He is a man who has no conscience; he feels no guilt for

his actions. Poe created such a mysterious character that readers want to see what he

Edgar Allan Poe The Cask of Amontillado

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will do next.

Imagery and sensory in story were created mostly for Fortunato, to show his

experience as of one being killed. Poe made a certain atmosphere for the catacombs,

which makes people feel what those were like. Author explained vaults inside: It hogs

like moss upon the vaults (Poe, pg. 7). Clear description which helps to understand the

fear of being a victim. Moisty, dark, uncomforted. The drops of moisture trickle among

the bones (Poe, pg. 7). Makes reader fell scared, worried and even horrified.

Description talks for itself. There is no need to describe it, it just bring out the emotions.

Creates an image in readers head.

Irony is one of the most important parts in the story. Its purpose is to create some

special feeling in readers for the Montresor. Main character is being really ironical to

Fortunato. We will go back; your health is precious (Poe, pg. 5). He worries about

his health and offers him to go back just before leaving a guy in a vault chained to a

wall. Clear irony presents throughout the whole story. Montresor wants Fortunato to

make some steps towards his own death. Deduction-killer gets more satisfaction when

playing with its victim. Irony helped to create a truthful horror story, it sounds realistic.

Makes people want to believe in it.

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Edgar Allen Poe is a master of creating a small individual world in each of his stories.

By using rhetorical devices he makes readers feel the story and characters from inside

out. When reading his creations, emotions just burst out from the pages of the books,

filling up readers brains. Poe is a great master of horror stories!

Edgar Allan Poe The Cask of Amontillado