Dier, 1
Christopher Dier
Dier
English1/2
1/18/13
Style Critique of Edgar Allen Poe
Infamous rapper, the Notorious BIG once said, “Revenge is a dish I serve cats cold,” suggesting
that the best revenge is planned out, methodical, not reactive or in the heat of the moment. Whether he
knew it or not, Biggie was echoing an idea of revenge set forth by Edgar Allen Poe in his 1846 publication
of “The Cask of Amontillado.” “The Cask of Amontillado,” is a terrifying glimpse into the mind of a
psychopath. The short story details Montresor’s meticulously planned plot for revenge against an
unassuming and easily manipulated Fortunato. By simply suggesting that he has obtained a pipe of
Amontillado wine during the peak of carnival season, Montresor is able to trick Fortunato into essentially
committing his own murder. Through the use of point of view, irony, and symbolism Poe reveals that the
quest for revenge can truly make someone go insane.
The story begins in first person point of view with the narrator, Montresor, describing his desire to
get revenge against Fortunato. At one point the narrator talks directly to the reader, saying, “You, who so
well know the nature of my soul…” While using the first person point of view allows the story to be told from
a more personal perspective, addressing the audience as if they are familiar or long lost friends seems a bit
too personal. This comment to only makes the reader uncomfortable, but also makes the reader begin to
question the motivation or intentions of the narrator. If nothing else, it makes the reader think the narrator is
a little crazy.
Montresor tricks Fortunato in accompanying him to his vaults which are also, ironically, the
catacombs of the Montresors, to sample the Amontillado. Because he is inebriated, the irony goes
unnoticed by Fortunato. He even at one point makes a toast, “’I drink,’ he said, ‘to the buried that repose
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around us,’” acknowledging the situation. While this blunder certainly makes Fortunato seem more foolish,
it, at the same time, makes Montresor seem macabre. His plan for revenge involves death. The reader
begins to see that the motivation and intentions of the narrator are far more insidious.
Poe uses the symbol of fire to bring a conclusion to this story. The fire of their torches symbolizes
any hope Fortunato has of remaining alive. As the characters navigate their way further into the depths of
the vaults, “the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.” The torches burn so
faintly that it is difficult for Fortunato to see Montresor rush him and chain him to a wall of granite. The fire is
so faint that Fortunato can little perceive the wall of stone being erected in front of him, walling him up alive.
Before he places the final stone in it’s place, Montresor extinguishes the fire, thus extinguishing Fortunato.
If there was any doubt left for the reader, this symbol solidifies Montresor’s motives and intentions as
psychotic.
At what point does a healthy obsession become a compulsive disorder? When does constantly
thinking about something cause debilitation? For Montresor, it is when thoughts become actions. Thoughts
of vengeance become a plot for murder. Obsession has caused Montresor to become a sociopath.
According to Poe, the desire for revenge will drive a man insane, a theme supported by his use of point of
view, irony and symbolism.