Explain The Flaws In The Cask Of Amontillado

How the Protagonist’s Flaws Enhance the Character

When picturing a protagonist, many people envision a conventional hero with an intrepid personality, contrary to the stereotypical antagonist. Despite common belief, this cliche is seldom true and occasionally the complete opposite. In fact, the characteristics of protagonists fluctuate tremendously; some can be deplorable murderers, while others can be selfless humanitarians. However, they all obtain one distinctive characteristic: a flaw. These flaws can scope from arrogance to deceitfulness, but without them the character loses its sense of depth. If the protagonist of the story is perfect, they develop as dull and unrelatable and do not connect with or enthrall readers. However, when a protagonist is imperfect in some manner, they become identifiable with the reader. Protagonists who are illustrated as defected combat themselves in addition to their rivals, which develops them into

distinguished and realistic characters.
In the short story “A Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, the protagonist, Montresor, flaunts his pridefulness and his ruthless mentality, both which constitute the conflict in the short story.

These imperfections cause him to murder his former friend Fortunato, because “when he ventured upon insult, [Montresor] vowed revenge” (212). Montresor goes to severe measures in order to maintain his pride, demonstrating that he is arrogant, cruel, and a generally imperfect person. However, while Montresor appears cold and cruel on the outside, after he killed Fortunato “[his] heart grew sick” (216). Although Montresor perceives his emotional response as a physical reaction to the dampness of the catacombs, the reader sees it for what it truly is: a sign of remorse.The reader can discern that Montresor’s pride and cruelty are battling against his conscience, and that his flaws catalyze his actions. Observing Montresor’s faults instead of speculating he is comprehensively inhumane conceives him to be a profound and deep

character.
The “Scarlet Ibis” explains the story of a young boy, known to the reader as Brother, in the 1900s, whose pride results in great tragedy. The story’s conflict revolves around Brother’s younger brother, Doodle, who was born crippled, causing him to struggle with most physical activities. Despite Doodle’s inhibiting handicap, Brother instructs him to walk, “because [he is] ashamed of having a crippled brother” (419). The pride of the narrator becomes the main catalyst in the story, and dictates most of his actions. While Brother feels ashamed of Doodle, he also bears a familial bond with him, creating an internal dissention within Brother, and making him indecisive about which emotion will govern his choices. Additionally, Brother’s flaw makes him identifiable with the reader, considering that pride is a common flaw, and it is not uncommon for it to control someone’s actions. This clash within Brother develops him into a character who is relatable to the reader, as well as one who contains depth.
The short story “The Necklace” portrays the flaw of gluttony and pride within a young woman, Mathilde, who desires a lavish lifestyle. Rather than being content with the humble lifestyle she possesses, Mathilde feels “ that she had been born for all the little niceties and luxuries of living” (199). However, Mathilde’s pride is her undoing, as it prompts her to surrender her modest lifestyle and endure a life inferior to her preceding one. After she borrows a diamond necklace for a party to portray an affluent image, she later realizes “the necklace was no longer round her neck” (201). In order to repay the cost of this lavish necklace, Mathilde spends ten years of her life paying off debt. This proves that her greed is her own worst enemy, and believing she deserved a luxurious life ended up causing her nothing but despair. The yearn to be “envied, be fascinating and sought out of” (199), created a battle of her own avarice against herself. However, when she is desperate to pay off money owed, she is inserted into a position that compels her to evolve into a hardworking and diligent individual. This transformation validates that she is a developed character rather than a flat character. Although Mathilde is greedy and dismissive, her struggle against her own greed exemplifies that she is a realistic and distinguished character.
When a protagonist is imperfect, they become more developed and realistic, considering they have both internal and external conflict. A protagonist who possesses flaws connects more to the reader, because perfect people do not exist, so perfect characters cannot be relatable. Also, when it is possible to identify the motives of the character directly it creates more depth to the character. Protagonists who have an internal struggle due to a flaw also become more realistic and developed, because this proves they are not all good or all bad. Due to this evidence, it is clear that not all protagonists are perfect, but most are flawed.