Analysis of the Cask of Amontillado

A detailed Summary of Analysis of the Cask of Amontillado

An Analysis of "The Cask of Amontillado

In "The Cask of Amontillado" Edgar Allan Poe takes us on a trip into the mind of a mad

man. The story relates a horrible revenge made even more horrible by the fact that the vengeance

is being taken when no real offense had been given. Even though this is a short story, Poe creates

a nightmare, almost guaranteed to give the reader a sleepless night.

The plot of the story is simple. Montresor takes revenge on his friend Fortunato by luring

him into the tunnels under the family estate. There he leads Fortunato into the depths of the

catacombs where he buries him alive by walling him into a recess in the wall. The story is told in

first person from the point of view of Montresor himself. The exposition of the story occurs

when Montresor tells us that he wants to take revenge on Fortunato because "he ventured upon

insult"(191). We also learn that he intends to go unpunished for this act of vengeance. The

narrator informs us that he is going to continue to smile in Fortunato's face, but use the pride his

victim has in wine to lure him into the catacombs to taste some of his non- exis

Poe's style is what makes this a masterpiece of horror. He uses imagery to help the reader

remorse about what he has done, even in old age. When he says, "May he rest in peace"(196) at

reader wonders what it will be. Why is he taking him underground?

cuts him off from help. The two characters are underground and isolated. As Montresor leads his

Approximate Word count = 1282
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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