The Cask Of Amontillado And Dr. Heidegger's Experiment

Foolishness, sin, falsely placed trust. These are the overarching themes in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment.” There are a number of similarities between the two in terms of theme, but far fewer similarities between the literary devices used in both. In that case the most prevalent, far-reaching similarity is that of symbolism. Symbolism seeps from the pores of each story; it is present in nearly every aspect. Both authors most notably use it for characterization, foreshadowing, and suspense. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Poe mainly uses symbolism in the form of clothing, Montresor’s family coat of arms, and the walls of the crypt. In “Dr. Heidegger's Experiment,” Hawthorne uses the bust of Hippocrates, Sylvia’s rose, and the skeleton in the closet.
Poe uses clothing to symbolize and foreshadow each character. Near the beginning of the story, Poe describes Fortunato as wearing a jester’s costume: “The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.” This could of course be explained by the circus in town that night but the jester, also known

as the fool, is also a very fitting symbol for Fortunato. He is a foolish character and is ultimately tricked by Montresor into walking to his tomb. At the same time, Montresor is said to be dressed in, “...a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person...” (Poe) This is a very suspicious and gothic outfit to be wearing, and symbolizes the fact that Montresor is hiding his true intentions from Fortunato. His attire also resembles that of an executioner while his intention is clearly to execute Fortunato.
Hawthorne also symbolizes his characters and foreshadows what will happen to them, through the bust of Hippocrates and Sylvia’s rose. “Over the central bookcase was a bronze bust of Hippocrates, with which, according to some authorities, Dr. Heidegger was accustomed to hold consultations in all difficult cases of his practice.” (Hawthorne) As a doctor, it is clear why Dr. Heidegger would have a bust of the ancient greek: Hippocrates was a philosopher and is considered the father of modern medicine. It is hard to tell which one field Heidegger got his doctorate in, but it is most likely to be medicine or academia. He has a clear interest in science and philosophy just as Hippocrates did. The rose, on the other hand, most clearly symbolizes Dr. Heidegger’s dead ex fiancee: "...’this same withered and crumbling flower, blossomed five and fifty years ago. It was given me by Sylvia Ward, whose portrait hangs yonder; and I meant to wear it in my bosom at our wedding.’” (Hawthorne) Roses are often associated with love and romance; this one doubly so as it was a gift to Dr. Heidegger from the woman he loved. It shows Dr. Heidegger’s respect for his past, as opposed to his friends. This rose also symbolizes the old friends who are subject to his experiment, however, and is a catalyst for what will happen to them when they drink the water from the Fountain of Youth. This is seen when: “The crushed and dried petals stirred, and assumed a deepening tinge of crimson, as if the flower were reviving from a deathlike slumber; the slender stalk and twigs of foliage became green; and there was the rose of half a century, looking as fresh as when Sylvia Ward had first given it to her lover. ” (Hawthorne) Later in the story, the rose begins to age again just before the old friends do.
Both authors also use symbolism to outline each story’s theme of trickery and death. It adds further understanding, foreshadowing, and suspense. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Fortunato asks Montresor what his family’s coat of arms is. Montresor, in response, describes: “"A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel...” (Poe) The symbolism of the shield is clear: Montresor’s foot is that which kills the snake, Fortunato, who has done him wrong and bit his heel. The blue color could mean a number of things, the most likely of which include confidence and trust. Montresor trusted Fortunato but when he turned on him, Montresor is confident in his ability to crush his foe. When further asked about the motto, Montresor recites: “‘Nemo me impune lacessit.’” (Poe) This means “no one attacks me with impunity” in Latin, and is thus characteristic of Montresor’s motive and the driving point of the story. However, it is also the motto of Scotland. It is unlikely that this is coincidental and likely indicates that Montresor is lying to Fortunato, similarly to how he is lying about the amontillado. The irony in this is that he is explaining his plan and motives to Fortunato through his lies, but the foolish man still does not suspect any ill-intent. Also indicating that Montresor is a liar, when the two previously arrived at his family’s catacombs he stopped to tell Fortunato: “"It is farther on," said I; "but observe the white web-work which gleams from these cavern walls."” (Poe) The web symbolizes the web of lies that Montresor is trapping his friend in. Montresor is the spider, catching and drawing in his prey to devour.
Hawthorne similarly plays with symbolize for the subjects of death and lying.

“In the obscurest corner of the room stood a tall and narrow oaken closet, with its door ajar, within which doubtfully appeared a skeleton.” (Hawthorne) The skeleton could symbolize death, peering out at the old friends who foolishly think they have a chance at cheating it with this magical elixir of youth. However, the phrase “skeleton in the closet” means to have a dark secret, as a character such as Dr. Heidegger no doubt has. The allusion to his dead fiance - who took the wrong medication on her wedding night - makes this even more suspicious, especially considering that Heidegger is some form of doctor and was the one to give her the medicine. Could he have purposefully given Sylvia the deadly

prescription?
In conclusion, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, and “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” by Nathaniel Hawthorne are both held together by symbolism. Both authors use this literary device to add detail and breath life into their stories. Without symbolism, neither story would be the same.