Theme Of Gothic Conventions In The Cask Of Amontillado

The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe is a short story told in the gothic genre. Although this story was written decades after the popularity of the genre, The gothic genre through its descriptions of the atmosphere as well as its use of grotesque and macabre imagery creates a sense of alienation, chaos, entrapment, uncertainty, and terror in the reader. Gothic literature often deals with themes of death, fears and anxieties, good vs evil, estrangement, and revenge. Furthermore, gothic literature often ends with a sense of moral closure and resolution. The Cask of Amontillado use of gothic conventions can be seen in its setting. However, the story’s unconventional use of irony and omission of moral closure adds to the psychological

the story starts out in the familiar festive social setting of the carnival. In this catholic celebration, people dress in costume and masks and drink. This celebration occurs just before Lent on the Christian calendar. This setting is conventional, making it hard to tell the identity of each other. This creates a sense of chaos and estrangement, commonly found in the gothic genre. However, this is also an unconventionally ironic setting to start a story about revenge because the carnival was a celebration of life, yet Montressor has chosen this day to commit murder. furthermore, it is then introduced to Fortunato, who is dressed in motley. This is ironic because his name means fortunate, yet he is dressed as a fool. The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting pants-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells. I was so pleased to see him that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand. This characterization also symbolizes his character because his arrogance and ego are what cause him to be foolishly misled by Montressor to his death. Montressor is also dressed according to his character. The story dresses him in black with a mask, symbolizing evil and death. The irony of the way that these characters are dressed add to the terror of the story because it states that although Fortunato Is actually foolish, he is an innocent drunk who does not deserve to die. Montressor is a mysterious evil character because the reader never find out the reasoning behind his actions and, therefore, can perceive him early on as a psychotic and evil person. This mystery is even further unsettling for the reader. Later on in the story, their characters become even more obvious. Fortunato is unable to realize Montresor 's intentions. He makes a reference to the freemason, which he believe Montressor is not part of. Ironically, Montressor makes a disturbing joke that he