Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allan Poe uses vivid dialogue to give his characters life. He begins his tale by speaking directly to the reader. He pulls the reader in by saying that "You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat" (Poe, 191). The reader knows that the main character is speaking to him. And the reader understands that the tale will be one of darkness. The main character is looking for revenge. He seeks to punish. The reader knows that the punishment will be brutal.
The main character has thought out his plan carefully. He says that he has not let on to Fortunato that he is angry. The main character was full of venom as he smiled in Fortunato's face. He lets the reader in on his grave secret. The tone is one of a conspirator. The reader has become a conspirator as well to the murder of Fortunato, for the reader now knows that Fortunato's time is limited.
It must be understood, that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my goodwill. I continued, as was my won't, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation" (Poe, 191).
Poe allows his main character to enlighten the reader about Fortunato's character without telling the full reason of why he was vexed with the man. Was he too boastful? Was the main character jealous? The main reader has only revealed that he does not think highly of the Fortunato. He is a quack. What exactly does that mean? At this point, the reader must fill in the blanks. The reader must think...
Another Poe classic short story entitled the Tell Tale Heart also displayed his unique way of gaining the attention of the reader by use of dark and gloomy descriptions. This story is about going mad and losing one's mind. Poe may have really experienced this process as this story definitely takes a personal tone. The reader cannot help to feel the chaotic feelings that madness brings when grasping the Poe's
The narrator proceeds to ask the raven a series of questions to which the raven only responds "nevermore," driving the man mad with its lack of answers. The poem ends presumably with the raven still sitting on the bust in the man's house. The questions the man asks are all purposely self-deprecating and demonstrate a strong loneliness that exists in him. This possibly represents Poe trying to relieve himself
The narrator of "Amontillado" uses wine to lure Fortunato into the recesses of the city, where the latter meets his slow and agonizing end. As such, both narrators clearly state their tormentor's favorite things, which would be used towards their demise: "In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere." In "Hop Frog," the narrator opens his story
Role of Madness in Edgar Allan Poe's "Tales of Terror" This paper will explore the role of madness in three of Edgar Allan Poe's "Tales of Terror," specifically "The Tell-Tale Heart," first published in the Pioneer of Boston in January of 1843 and edited by the American poet James Russell Lowell; "The Cask of Amontillado," first published in Godey's Lady Book of Philadelphia in November of 1846, a highly popular periodical
Their marriage and mutual love of animals makes this a situation that bespeaks long lasting happiness. One of the family pet is a black cat that is fairly large and the man's favorite. This cat is well liked, and unlike the disposition of cats that is aloof and independent, this cat follows his master wherever he goes, even out doors. The wife based on some superstitions has her misgivings
Edgar Allan Poe In the course of his short career as writer, Edgar Allan Poe wrote numerous literary pieces, a majority of which were compiled into books only after his death. Poe published only one novel, in 1838, titled "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym" and many books of poetry, with the most popular being "The Raven and Other Poems," published in 1845. His chief source of income was, editing magazines
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