Irony in Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado"

Paper Summary:

This book reviews and discusses the use of irony in the book "The Cask of Amontillado" by American writer, Edgar Allan Poe. The author recounts the story of Montresor taking revenge on his friend Fortunato for an unspecified insult. The author then gives several examples on Poe's use of irony, such as the naming of Fortunato, who is not so fortunate after all. The paper also discusses how Poe uses irony on many levels to engage his readers. In closing, the author notes Poe's skill in adding texture to his horror stories by layering them with other subtle literary techniques.

From the Paper:

"The irony here is not only that Fortunato is stupid, or perhaps drunk, enough to believe Montresor, it is that Montresor knows how Fortunato will respond. He is not the least bit concerned about Fortunato's desire to turn back. This scene also demonstrates how the two men are different. One man is happy and one is not, one man is beloved and one is not. Verbal irony plays a significant role in the story in that Montresor is a man a few words but they are powerful."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barnet, Sylvan, ed. An Introduction to Literature. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. 1985.
• Benton, Richard P. "The Cask of Amontillado." Watson, Noelle, ed. 1994. GALE Resource Database. Site Accessed July 06, 2008 <http://www.galegroup.com>
• Eric W. Carlson. Dictionary of Literary Biography. GALE Resource Database. GALE Resource Database. Site Accessed July 06, 2008 <http://www.galegroup.com>
• Gargano, James. "The Question of Poe's Narrators." EBSCO Resource Database. Site Accessed July 06, 2008. <http://search.epnet.com>
• Harris, Kathryn. "Ironic Revenge in Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado.'" EBSCO Resource Database. Site Accessed July 06, 2008. <http://search.epnet.com>

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