The Cask Of Amontillado Literary Analysis

Simplistic And Beautiful Revenge

Setting is the place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place.

Settings serve a huge role in stories without them; stories would be nothing more then a list of events playing out. Settings not only help get the reader involved it is also used to create and show meaning through symbolism, setting the mood, and Theme. Often in stories the setting alone can give you the best description of who the character is like in “The Cask Of Amontillado” and “Hills Like White Elephants.”

Symbolism plays huge parts in both of these stories. In “The Cask Of Amontillado” the main symbols we see are the outfit that Fortuantao wears, the way he dies, and also the amontillado. The Amontillado was important symbols because it’s used to lure him into the catacombs were the story takes place. Fortuanato is dress in a Jester (a clown costume) and this also tells us this is
Montresor’s way of almost humiliating Fortuanto and getting even with him for whatever trouble Fortuanto has caused him. Lastly was the way he left Fortuanto in the catacombs to die. This is cruel and torturous and gives you a little insight to just how mad Montresor was. In “Hills Like White Elephants” we are also faced with some important symbolism, the railroad, the hills, and white elephants. The Railroad where our story takes place is and also symbol not only because its where our characters are but also because the railroad symbolize crossroads in The American and Jigs life and the decision they have to make. During the story Jig looks out into the horizon and notices the hills and says, “And we could have all this.” (Pg. 206) Jig sees the hills as a challenge, new life and possibility. The white elephant’s symbolize the unborn baby and the fact that The American says he’s never seen one says that he is not really open to the idea of keeping the baby.

Setting the mood is a very important factor in a story. The mood is the feeling we get when we are reading the story. In “The Cask Of Amontillado” the mood is extremely important, we know that Montresor is seeking revenge so this creates a mood of mystery, suspense, and darkness which is perfect for this story because he is going to be killing Fortuanto. In “Hills Like White Elephants” the mood is a little more serious and at times sarcastic. This story is based on an important decision that needs to be made and The American wants her to decided but Jig is more concerned with what’s going on around them and not so much with making a decision.

Finally we come to Theme, which plays a huge role in the story.
The Theme in “The Cask Of Amontillado” is revenge. The story starts off “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. (Poe 411). From then on the whole story is about seeking revenge. This is very important because it is telling you what is going on and why. In “Hills Like White Elephants” the major theme is Choice. This is important to the story because they have a decision to make and it relates back to the crossroads that they are going to have to face.

Settings serve a huge role in stories without them; stories would be nothing more then a list of events playing out. Settings not only help get the reader involved it also shows you the character interacting with the environment and paint a picture of the time and place. Often in stories the setting alone can give you the best description of who the character is like in “The Cask Of Amontillado” and “Hills Like White
Elephants.”

Citation and Work Cited

Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Cask Of Amontillado." The Seagull Reader. :. 2nd ED. New York: W.W. Norton, 2008. 411-17. Print.

Hemingway, Ernest. "Hills Like White Elephants." The Seagull Reader. :. 2nd ED New York: W.W. Norton, 2008. 203-08. Print.