Cask: Edgar Allan Poe and Person Gains Knowledge
Essay Number 1
Carl Grogan
English 104 Section 008
Professor Place
17 September 2010
Abcarian and Klotz define the human condition as “Man strives to give order and meaning to his life to reduce the mystery and unpredictability that constantly threaten him. Life is infinitely more complex and surprising than we imagine, and the categories we establish to give it order and meaning are, for the most part, “ Momentary stays against confusion. “ At any time the equilibrium of our lives, the comfort image of ourselves and the world around us, may be disrupted suddenly by something new, forcing us into painful reevaluation. These disruptions create pain, anxiety and even terror but also wisdom and awareness.” All people go through a process. A disruption occurs, creates an emotion, and calls for an action. Once action is done, the person gains knowledge. Montresor, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, (rpt. In Thomas R. Arp and Greg Johnson, Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense, 10th ed. [Boston: Wadsworth, 2009] 617-623) is a character who is altered by the aspect of the human condition. The disruption is when Fortunado insulted Montresor’s family and his family’s honour. Since Montresor was the man of the house it was his responsibility to handle the situation. It was clear that Montresor is going to follow through this. His emotional response was of controlled anger. Montresor may have had anger but it was hidden anger. Montresor didn’t show it in anyway to hint that he had loathing boiling inside him. He expressed this by saying, “ The thousand injuries of Fortunado I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed my revenge”. Montresor was a very solemn man, for he would not show his greatest anger, but he will avenge what caused it. This is stated when he said, “You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. At length I would
Carl Grogan
English 104 Section 008
Professor Place
17 September 2010
Abcarian and Klotz define the human condition as “Man strives to give order and meaning to his life to reduce the mystery and unpredictability that constantly threaten him. Life is infinitely more complex and surprising than we imagine, and the categories we establish to give it order and meaning are, for the most part, “ Momentary stays against confusion. “ At any time the equilibrium of our lives, the comfort image of ourselves and the world around us, may be disrupted suddenly by something new, forcing us into painful reevaluation. These disruptions create pain, anxiety and even terror but also wisdom and awareness.” All people go through a process. A disruption occurs, creates an emotion, and calls for an action. Once action is done, the person gains knowledge. Montresor, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, (rpt. In Thomas R. Arp and Greg Johnson, Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense, 10th ed. [Boston: Wadsworth, 2009] 617-623) is a character who is altered by the aspect of the human condition. The disruption is when Fortunado insulted Montresor’s family and his family’s honour. Since Montresor was the man of the house it was his responsibility to handle the situation. It was clear that Montresor is going to follow through this. His emotional response was of controlled anger. Montresor may have had anger but it was hidden anger. Montresor didn’t show it in anyway to hint that he had loathing boiling inside him. He expressed this by saying, “ The thousand injuries of Fortunado I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed my revenge”. Montresor was a very solemn man, for he would not show his greatest anger, but he will avenge what caused it. This is stated when he said, “You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. At length I would