An Analysis Of Edgar Allen Poe's The Cask Of Amontillado

When trying to decode “Edgar Allen Poe’s” work you must realize his background is puzzling and that his work is intimate with many facets and niches in his life. The story I chose was “Edgar Allen Poe’s” “The Cask of Amontillado”, I chose it because I have extended exposure to “Edgar Allen Poe’s” work and do not know the others as well as him. Interpretation is what gives a person’s work meaning and staying power, “Edgar Allen Poe’s” work is best to be described as literary Rorschach tests in where many people have different interpretations but they are not wrong. Plot has many ways to write and approach, the three-act structure, the Freytag’s pyramid, even the natural writing process is getting attention in today’s entertainment environment.

There are two locations Italy during a carnival and an underground catacomb, these locations are stark enough to make sure they are fitting for each character for example Fortunato is active during the carnival scenery with an upper hand in the conversation and Montresor is quiet and content in the catacombs, these easily enhance the characters and give you visual leaning towards them. There is an interesting piece of dialogue when you hear about how there is cramped space in the catacombs leaning to where they are slowly losing their freedom and life. "These vaults," he said, "are extensive. (Poe 47) " And "Ugh! ugh! ugh! --ugh! ugh! ugh! --ugh! ugh! ugh! --ugh! ugh! ugh! --ugh! ugh! ugh! (Poe 31-32) " are words that symbolize how slowly Fortunato is losing his life. Montresor is our narrator so he is our default point of view, what makes this more interesting is that this narrator has conflicting viewpoints and actions with his story. With lines like how the names might be fake with the lines, “"The Montresor’s," I replied, "were a great and numerous family.” (Poe line 67)” it implies that this is a fake name and the narrator is hiding his identity through a believable lie. He’s an unreliable character and is also unsympathetic since he has killed a person over something pity and chosen to be proud of

I interpret this story as a tale of a guy who took things too far and is way too happy with the results of his actions. With how Montresor is too eager to send a man deep into the catacombs and kill a man, and the short path from point a to point b. With the last line of the story “In pace requiescat! (Poe 97)” that is how “Edgar Allen Poe wanted to end his story, with the narrator telling the audience that Fortunato rested in peace with no body to disturb his resting