The Cask Of Amontillado Gothicism Essay

Out of each of Edgar A. Poe’s brilliant works, The Cask of Amontillado proves to be the best example of a piece of Gothic literature, with accurate character, setting, conflict, and imagery. First, looking into the character of Fortunato, the text reads, “The earliest indication I had of this was a low moaning cry from the depth of the recess. It was not the cry of a drunken man.” (Page 5). The fact that Fortunato did not sound as drunk as he had been previously greatly emphasizes the end of his shift to the grave. Fortunato begins the story deeply intoxicated, making it easy for Montresor to manipulate him. However, Fortunato’s drinking habits were a reasonable occasion for him, as Montresor mentions his love for wines. This moment fits perfectly with the Gothic
Instead, he spent the whole task feeling unstable, and hesitated a few times to try and undo his cruelty. Ultimately, the conflict of the story is wrapped in perfectly with the Gothic tradition, having the protagonist, Fortunato, make Montresor feel the moral in the end, even if he died doing so. Finally, the imagery of The Cask of Amontillado adds the most suspense to the mood in the moment that reads, “A succession of loud and shrill screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust me violently back.” (Page 5). In this description, readers are gripped with the unknown of what will happen next, a clear picture of Fortunato’s struggle appearing in one’s mind. With each of Poe’s vivid descriptions of the events, another layer of suspense is added to the mood, until you have a complete story mood in the whole. The Gothic style is clearly viewed when the story is ended and each reader has a deep feeling of suspense within them from the imagery that Edgar Allan Poe established so