Symbolism and Irony in The Cast of Amontillado

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Anything that represents more than what it is, is symbolic. It’s often used by writers to enhance their writing. For example, the phrase "Life is like a roller-coaster" is symbolic because it means there will be ups and downs in life that you may or may not experience. Other times the author my better explain an object by using a symbol to represent it like a chain represents the coming together of two things. In elementary schools teachers use pictures of animals and objects with the same first letter of the next letter in the alphabet to remind them what letter come next by saying the name. Irony may be included in writings as well, it's the opposite than what is intended. For example: the Titanic was said to be 100% unsinkable; but in 1912 the ship sank on its voyage. Irony is also used in everyday life while having conversations, you or someone else may make a sarcastic remark as a joke. “The Cask of Amontillado”is narrated by Montresor a man that is mad or may be possibly insane. In the short story he begins by explaining how Fortunato hurt him, but it was way worse than that, it was insult. Now he seeks vengeance. Montresor then “accidently" runs into Fortunato, who is dressed up as a jester at a carnival. He mentions a rare brandy called Amontillado; Fortunato is then immediately interested in the wines authenticity. Montresor begins to tease Fortunato about referring to Luchresi about the wine, implying that he didn't think of Fortunato first. Fortunato then insults Luchresi and insists that he must try this unique wine. So he and Montresor go to the underground graveyard or “catacombs” under Montresors palazzo, where it seems the wine is kept. Montresor leads him further and further into the catacombs getting him inebr... ... middle of paper ... ... education. Bright Hub,Inc.,9 Oct 2013. Web. 17 Mar 2014. Poe, Edgar allan. “The Cask of Amontillado.” Heritage of American Literature. Ed. James E. Miller. Vol. 2. Austin: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1991. 20. Print. Russ, R.j. “Symbolism in Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘The Cask of Amontillado’.” Yahoo voices. Yahoo, Inc., 28 apr 2008. Web . 17 Mar 2014. Shmoop Editoial Team. “’ the Cask of Amontillado’ Writing Style.” Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 17 mar 2014. Wood, Kerry. “ Literary Analysis: Irony in ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ by Edgar Allan Poe.” Humanities 360. Helium, Inc., 9 Nov 2007. Web. 17 Mar 2014. Word Press Editors. “Masonic and Number Symbolism in ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ by Edgar Allan Poe.” Word Press. N.p., 2 Oct 2013. Web. 17 Mar 2014.

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