Review Of Poe’s Cask Of Amontillado Essay, Research Paper
?The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge? at length I would be avenged; this was a point definitely settled? I must not only punish, but punish with impunity.? Poe?s story is a case of premeditated murder; a powerful tale of revenge. In reading this story, it becomes quickly apparent that this tale has been carefully crafted to create a desired effect. In fact, it seems that almost every detail of this tightly woven story contributes to the desired deception of reality. Through the use of irony, point of view, and symbolism, Poe manipulates the thoughts of the reader, just as Montresor manipulates his victim, Fortunato.
Irony, both dramatic and verbal, play a crucial role in this short story. Fortunato?s name itself is ironic, for the poor man is anything but fortunate. In addition, he is dressed in ? a cap and bells,? resembling the outfit of a clown or a fool. This could possibly be because Montresor intends to fool him as part of his evil plan. There are numerous examples of verbal irony throughout the story. Perhaps the most obvious is when Montresor insists that he is a mason, even daring to pull out his trowel that he would use to seal Fortunato?s fate. At one point, Fortunato insists that he will not die of a cough when Montresor inquires about his health. While researching this short story and Poe, I learned that there is symbolism in Montresor?s final statement to Fortunato. He says ?in pace reqiescat? which means ?rest in peace? but according to Martha Womack, ?in pace? also refers to a very secure prison.
Montresor can definitely be considered to be an unreliable narrator. Therefore, point of view plays a crucial role in this story. Montresor tells his tale of revenge smugly, as if he invites the reader to applaud his cleverness. Poe?s intent of telling the story from Montresor?s point of view is not so that the reader will sympathize with him, but rather have a peek into the inner workings of an insane mind. Since Montresor is clearly crazy, the reader must question the validity of his points. It is probable that Fortunato has not done him ?a thousand injuries? and it is possible that he has done him no injuries at all. Regardless, Montresor vows to take revenge upon the unsuspecting Fortunato. Watching the story unfold from Montresor?s point of view is both interesting and shocking as he stops working to hear Fortunato?s shaking chains. Montresor?s narration intensifies the effect of moral shock and horror. The fact that he has no remorse is shocking, and the invitation to delve into the inner workings of a sinister mind is intriguing.
The story contains various examples of symbolism that give the tale a deeper meaning than just a murder. For example, Montresor believes that he is upholding his family?s motto, ? no one dare attack me with impunity.? This motto reflects Montresor?s belief that he is acting on revenge against the man who has inflicted pain upon him. His family also has a coat of arms, a human foot crushing a serpent whose fangs are in its heel. This can be interpreted two ways. It is possible to view Montresor as the foot crushing the snake, Fortunato, who has bitten him. However, I see it to be more appropriate to view Fortunato as a foot who has accidentally stepped on the snake, and Montresor as the snake ready to attack.
Clearly, irony, point of view, and symbolism mold this short story into a powerful tale of revenge. Poe uses these aspects to shape the story in virtually every possible way. A tale of simple revenge becomes a tightly woven work of the narrator?s evil mind.
Bibliography
Poe, Edgar Allan. “The Cask of Amontillado.”