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“Gothic”, as defined by
Dictionary.com, represents “noting or pertaining to a style
of
literature characterized by a gloomy setting, grotesque,
mysterious, or
violent events, and an atmosphere of degeneration and
decay”. In “The
Cask of Amontillado”, Edgar Allan
Poe uses gothic methods, which include
macabre, suspense and mystery,
and psychology, to depict the dark
feeling in the characters, setting, plot, and theme.
Montresor, the
possessed protagonist, presents himself as a conniving
individual who
seeks revenge and the immolation of Fortunado. In turn,
Fortunado, the
antagonist who has injured Montresor in limitless ways,
unites with his
supposed acquaintance Montresor in the catacombs to find
the cask of
Amontillado, unaware that he is walking into a trap that
will bring him
to his death. As the pair progress through the catacombs,
they observe
the extensive niter and cobwebs that drape the walls and the decayed
bodies that surround them. When they reach the end,
Montresor evolves
from Fortunado’s friend to his murderer. Montresor leaves
with Fortunado
dead, chained, and buried behind a wall that he builds to
hide the
evidence of the kill. Edgar Allan Poe distributes an
ensemble of gothic
techniques, including the use of mystery and suspense,
macabre, and
psychology to portray the power of revenge. |
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More about Irony
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One method of gothic literature that Poe validates
to improve the
revenge theme is the use of mystery and suspense. As
Montresor and
Fortunado walk through the dreary
catacombs, they notice that the “walls
had been lined with human remains, piled to the vault
overhead…”(Poe).
Through this vivid description, Poe wishes to reel the
reader in so that
they find themselves at the edge of their seat, waiting for
the moment
when Montresor seeks his payback. In addition, the
description
foreshadows frightening events and sets an eerie mood like
music in a
horror movie. After Fortunado toasts to the dead that
surround both of
the men, Montresor answers with “And you to your long life”
(Poe). This
utilization of dramatic irony highlights Fortunado’s
ignorance to
Montresor’s plan. It must bring pleasure to Montresor’s
mind to know
that Fortunado will not live long, and he will finally
repay all his
deeds. Edgar Allan Poe uses this factor to create an active
feeling for
the reader, like, for example, the yelling and criticizing
of fathers
watching football games. The gothic mystery and suspense
expressed in
the story add to the supremacy of revenge in Poe’s
literature.
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Other Works
By:
Poe
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MS. Found in a Bottle
The Raven
The Balloon-Hoax
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Edgar Allen Poe
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In addition to the use of mystery and suspense, Poe
uses macabre
ideas in his writing to advance the vengeance theme in “The
Cask of
Amontillado.” When Montresor declares, “I must not only
punish, but
punish with impunity,” he shows that the revenge-seeking
side of himself
takes him over (Poe). He hopes that he will initiate his
plan to work
flawlessly, so that nobody will ever know what happens to
Fortunado.
This statement exposes the grotesque side of Montresor that
replaces his
previous individuality. Montresor reveals a black persona
through his
appearance: “Putting a mask of black silk and drawing a
roquelaure
closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my
palazzo.”
(Poe). This gruesome costume clashes with the brightly
colored jester
outfit that Fortunado wears, offering the idea that
Fortunado is the
fool that falls for Montresor’s trick. Montresor’s morbid
and chilling
outfit represents the dark and intimidating personality
that skulks
within him, letting readers identify that Montresor is the
type of
person who can and will take reprisal. The uses of macabre
throughout
the story help accentuate gothic tone of dominant revenge
that Poe
distributes. |
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The usage of psychology throughout the story also
plays a role in
the gothic story’s retribution topic. When Montresor
advises, “…you are
a man to be missed…We will go back; you will be ill and I
cannot be
responsible,” he discreetly foreshadows what is to
come for Fortunado
(Poe). By hinting his scheme, the narrator fools
Fortunado’s mind in a
vague, yet spooky way. This style of flattery is expressed
in today’s
world when someone wants to convince someone into doing
something. When
Montresor comments, “As you are engaged, I am on my way to
Luchesi. If
anyone has a critical turn, it is he. He will tell me--…”
Fortunado
objects and becomes incredibly intrigued in getting to the
cask (Poe).
Montresor demonstrates this form of reverse psychology to
encourage
Fortunado to continue venturing through the sickening
catacombs despite
the fact that he was already ill. Thus, Fortunado is
helping to spin the
web that Montresor hopes to incarcerate him in. The reverse
psychology
Montresor displays aids the gothic technique of the
story.
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More about Writing
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Edgar Allan Poe distributes an ensemble of gothic
techniques,
including the use of mystery and suspense, macabre, and
psychology to
portray the power of revenge. By using these techniques,
the author
imitates moods of horror and fright within the reader, and
highlights
the powerful revenge shown throughout the story. These
gothic methods
help to describe revenge in the setting, plot, and
characters. Because
Edgar Allan Poe has a balance of representation of all
aspects of
gothic
literature, this short story receives great
reviews from many audiences.
Altogether, the narrative is capturing, interesting, and
extremely
unique. Poe’s story, “The Cask of Amontillado” contains
gothic
characteristics that create the perfect essence, tone, and
feeling to
emphasize hateful revenge.
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Sources |
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Written by Kailani for HBHS 10/15/2008
Book: The Cask of Amontillado By Edgar Allen Poe
Graphics:
Trade Federation Creative Team (Poe Word Pic) |
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