Nour Seif El Nasr
English Outline
Brief Intro & Thesis:
There are many elements that are pervasive and similar throughout gothic literature, however Edgar Allen Poe’s unsurpassed writing skills proved to be especially unique in “The Cask of Amontillado”. By using the five elements of indirect characterization (speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions and looks), diction, imagery, dramatic irony, and suspense, Poe is able to successfully incorporate gothic elements such as psychology through characterization and inclusion of fear and horror, in order to effectively
establish the gothic feature of his text.
Gothic Element 1 – Quote 1:
“ He had a weak point – this Fortunato - although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine”.
Explanation:
 Montresor describes Fortunato’s effect on others
 Fortunato invokes emotions of fear and respect in others suggests his high socioeconomic class in his society
 The first person perspective: Descriptions shown to the readers from
Montresor’s point of view = a gateway to Montresor’s own psychology = related to quote: Montresor seems to be psychologically insecure himself, as aspects of power and confidence are what attract him to his own enemy (Fortunate), suggesting his own low self-esteem and lack of self-assurance.
 The phrase “prided himself”: suggests Fortunato’s excessive self-confidence and high self-glorification to the extent of arrogance
 Precise and formal diction such as “connoisseurship”: emphasizes Fortunato’s excessive passion, knowledge and expertise in wine, as this obsession is what drives most of his decisions later in the story
 Presenting this introductory image of Fortunato’s character/psychology, readers build a sense of expectation and feelings of primitive suspense and simple curiosity take place, as they fear that Fortunato’s arrogance and obsession can be a perfect way for Montresor to trick him into his revengeful plan (that is not yet known to the readers).
Gothic Element 1 – Quote 2:
“The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was
surmounted by the conical cap and bells”.
Explanation:
 Reflects Fortunato’s sense of choice (in fashion), which gives an insight to his psychology

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 Colorful and incongruous costume: symbolizes his naïve, jokey and unfledged personality
 Why is use of symbolism effective and needed? 1. Allows the characters to be more relatable and understandable. 2. Helps the readers realize and point out significant ideas that are better shown (through visual imagery in readers’ minds) than detailed descriptions. As a result , aspects of gothic stock characters are more effectively sent to and received by the readers
Quote 3 (related to Quote 2 – same topic/idea):
“…and putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my
person, I [Montresor] suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo”.
Explanation (continued):
 Color symbolism (black): symbolize darkness and deception
 Mask object itself: hints to Montresor’s hidden and surreptitious plan for revenge that Fortunato is completely blinded by
 Contrasting symbolism (Montresor vs Fortunato): 1. Suggests the exact opposite psychologies and motivations 2. Grows specific emotions in the readers towards each character (empathize with Fortunato, as Montresor’s intentions become more and more apparent, while they feel bitter and cold at the thought of
Montresor’s plans).
 WHY they feel like that: Usually bright and light colors have more positive connotations of innocence and happiness, than black, which has negative connotations of dark emotions and hatred.
Gothic Element 1 - Quote 4:
“ ‘Let us go, nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado! You have been
imposed upon. And as for Luchresi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado’”
Explanation:
 Shown through tone changes: Fortunato demonstrates his continuous fascination with the Amontillado, his strong determination and his unmistakable pride
 Voice raises when saying “Amontillado!”: indicates his excitement and thrill with wine, and the fact that he had repeated this phrase over four times throughout the story is a reflection of his absolute obsession
 Effect on readers: Dramatic Irony: As emotions of excitement and thrill are elevated in Fortunato, the exact opposite emotions are ignited in the readers,
(because the readers know Montresor’s intentions and Fortunato doesn’t). The more excited Fortunato becomes the more suspenseful the plot is for the readers as they feel stronger emotions of fear that Fortunato will trip into Montresor’s plan.

Nour Seif El Nasr
Gothic Element 2 – Quote 1:
“Its [the crypt] walls had been lined with human remains, piled to the vault overhead, in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris. Three sides of this interior crypt were still ornamented in this manner. From the fourth earth, forming at one point a mound of some size.”
Explanation:
 Imagery: creates foul images in the reader’s mind and evoke emotions such as fear and anxiety.
 Due to the fact that the story is written in a way that makes it very mysterious to the readers, as they know that something bad will happen however they are not exposed to what it is.
 RESULT : Grabs the readers’ attention, makes them think about the text, and makes them vulnerable to Poe’s control over their emotions.
 By setting this detailed imagery as an introduction to the unraveling of
Montresor’s hidden plan, the mood and atmosphere become foreboding and threatening, leaving the readers anxious and fearful of the events that lay ahead
(which are still a mystery to the readers).
Gothic Element 2 – Quote 2:
“’Enough’, he said; ‘the cough’s a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough’ ‘True – true’, I replied; ‘and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you
unnecessarily – but you should use all proper caution…’ ”
Explanation:
 Dramatic irony: in order to play with the reader’s minds.
 Use of Fortunato’s arrogant tone when he mentions his death in such a careless way, to reemphasize his complete blindness to where he is being led to, making the ending all the more tragic for the readers.
 Foreshadowing some of Montresor’s plan (hints of death): creates a sense of alarm and mixed emotions of trepidation, excitement and worry.
 Montresor: “You should use all proper caution” = double meaning of “caution” is directly targeted to the audience as they know the real reason behind this warning.
 The difference of Fortunato’s understanding of Montresor’s words (he should be cautioned to the danger of the vaults) versus the readers’ understanding of
Montresor’s words (he should be cautioned to Montresor’s evil revenging plan)
= manipulates the readers’ emotions and grow nervousness and jittery feelings.
Gothic Element 2 – Quote 3:
“‘Fortunato!’ No answer. I called again- ‘Fortunato!’ No answer still…. There came forth in return only a jingling of the bells”.
Explanation:

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 At this moment, readers are finally exposed to Montresor’s mysterious plan = their emotions are at its most climatic point.
 SO WHAT?: the use of suspense at this stage of the story effectively makes the final ending all the more tragic and emotional to the readers as they wait, on edge, for Fortunato’s final words.
 Related to quote: The juxtaposition between Montresor’s cries and Fortunato’s absolute silence: grows anxious, apprehended, and tense readers .
 Repetition of ideas that hint to Fortunato’s end such as “No answer” and “ I called again”: keep the audience’s minds spinning with possibilities and questions.
 SO WHAT? : Enables the author to grasp readers’ attention and leave a greater final impact , as the silence of Fortunato will always remain a mystery.