Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Cask of Amontillado" contains many ideas and items that are used as symbols for other things. The author relates that the plot is a deeply shrouded mystery about the destruction of the character of Fortunato by his so called friend Montresor. The paper concludes that the symbolism of the black mask, the cask, the trowel and the jester's outfit all work together to show the subtle nuances and the richness of Poe's story.

From the Paper:

"Fortunato's friend Montresor is not really his friend at all, and he lures Fortunato down into the catacombs and dungeons in order to show him an alleged cask of Amontillado that he has acquired, acting as though he is not sure that it is real and that he may have been cheated. He knows, as a connoisseur of fine wine, Fortunato will not be able to resist, even when he insists that the catacombs are very damp and he does not want Fortunato's health to suffer. Montresor tells Fortunato "But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts.""

Sample of Sources Used:

• Grayson, Erik. (2005). "Weird Science, Weirder Unity: Phrenology and Physiognomy in Edgar Allan Poe" Mode 1: 56-77.
• Meyers, Jeffrey. (1992). Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Legacy. New York, NY: Cooper Square Press.
• Scott, Wilbur S. (2002) Edgar Allan Poe: Complete tales and poems. Edison, New Jersey: Castle Books.
• Silverman, Kenneth. (1991). Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. New York, NY: Harper Perennial.
• Stableford, Brian. (2003). "Science fiction before the genre." The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction, edited by Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

More papers on Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado":

• Analytical Essay # 33096 : "The Cask of Amontillado"
• Analytical Essay # 124426 : "Revenge in "The Cask of Amontillado"
• Book Review # 93070 : "The Cask of Amontillado"
• Analytical Essay # 139737 : "Edgar Allan Poe's "Philosophy of Composition"

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