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Absurdity In “The Cask of Amontillado” And “The Tell-Tale-Heart”
Many people may be absurd at times, but they do not realize it. Absurdity refers to being
incredibly unreasonable. Similarly, in Edgar Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” as well as “The
Tell-Tale Heart” he uses characters that are unrealistic, unreasonable, and irrational. The short
stories have the theme of absurdity and are written like horror movies with unfounded
justifications. The author has portrayed absurdity in the short stories through the actions of his
characters. It is crucial to comprehend that the absurd thinking behavior of the characters leads to
their downfall in the two stories.
“The Cask of Amontillado” has various instances of absurdity. The story is narrated from
two characters; Montresor and Fortunato. Montresor is the narrator of the story, and he recounts
how he killed his close friend. Montresor explains that he had tolerated a thousand injuries from
Fortunato, who went too far. As a result, Montresor plans revenge. Montresor lures Fortunato to
his home by telling him that he bought Amontillado, a wine but its authenticity is unknown to
him. Fortunato greedily agrees to follow Montresor to his house. The servants had been ordered
to attend the festival. On reaching home, they go to the catacombs where Montresor told
Fortunato the Amontillado was. When they enter the underground chamber, Fortunato is chained
to the wall by Montresor and buried alive. Fortunato does not realize that it is a severe matter at
first. When Montresor says he wants to go home to his family, Fortunato replied that they should
go back. However, Fortunato notices it is serious as Montresor leaves the catacombs without
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freeing him. Fortunato cries out but no one is there to hear his cry. Montresor’s heart sickens at
the sound of bells jingling on the cap of Fortunato. Nevertheless, Montresor attributes that to the
dampness of the catacombs. Montresor kills Fortunato due to insults, a decision that is irrational
and unreasonable. Montresor’s reason for the murder is vague; therefore, he demonstrates
absurdity. Montresor thinks irrationally. For example, he buries Fortunato alive which is
completely absurd. Montresor ends in a downfall as he confesses his crime fifty years later after
murdering Fortunato (Poe).
“The Tell-Tale Heart” tells a story demonstrating absurdity through the protagonist. The
narrator murders an older man with whom they stay together. Ironically, the narrator says that he
loved the older man, who had never insulted him and wronged him. Additionally, the narrator
says he thinks he killed the older adult due to his eyes. The reasons the narrator gives to justify
the murder of the older man are absurd and unjust. To illustrate more absurdness, the narrator
says that a disease he had contracted earlier did not negatively affect his health. He further states
that the condition improved his hearing senses. Moreover, the narrator brags about his wisdom
since he proceeded with caution to avoid being caught. However, the narrator is arrested, and he
confesses his crime (Poe). His absurdness leads to his downfall.
The irrational thinking behavior of the characters of “The Tell-Tale Heart” as well as
“The Cask of Amontillado” leads to their downfall. Edgar Poe shows absurdity in the characters.
The storyteller of “The Tell-Tale Heart” remains absurd in his actions. For example, the narrator
kills the older man who had never done anything wrong to him. Furthermore, the narrator says
that he loved the older man. It is entirely irrational to kill someone you love. “The Cask of
Amontillado” protagonist conclusively demonstrates absurdity through the way he executes his
supposed friend due to insults. The two short stories are very efficient in showing how the author
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develops the theme of absurdity. Moreover, the two short stories are ironic, and the messages
conveyed by the author are different.
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Works Cited
Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Cask of Amontillado." (1846)
Poe, Edgar Allan. "The tell-tale heart." (1843).
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