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The Cask Of Amontillado Symbolism Essay

Decent Essays

Symbolism in Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado”
A critical element to most short story fiction involves the writer’s ability to incorporate symbolism into the story. The point and means will vary from author to author, but the outcome should be one that challenges the reader’s imagination. Poe’s short storyThe Cask of Amontillado” provides several great examples of symbolism. Obviously, the murder of poor Fortunato is never discovered, and the account of those events are played back in narration by Montresor some fifty years later (183). However, the symbolic references Poe strategically placed throughout “The Cask of Amontillado” implore the reader to explore the possibilities. There are several uses of symbolism that stand out in the story, all of which challenge the reader to understand the subtle meaning behind Poe’s …show more content…

He sent his staff away earlier in the evening, “There were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honor of the time [festival] (179). Montresor used Fortunato’s weakness for a good wine to reel in his curiosity. Poe indicates Fortunato has been drinking, and when encountered he was dressed in motley (178). It is plausible to assume that Poe’s reference to Fortunato wearing motley is an indication to how foolishly he was being played by Montresor. He further implicates the gesture with a comment on how remarkable Fortunato looked at the carnival (178). Montresor gave Fortunato every opportunity to alter the course of his demise, but Fortunato would not have any of it. Montresor concealed his identity, “Putting on a mask of black silk, and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo” (179). Montresor moved mysteriously with Fortunato back to the estate to ensure impunity from the crime he would soon

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