Use of Figurative Language as Persuasion in the Cask of Amontillado of Poe Essay Example
Abstract
This paper examines "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe and provides a synopsis of the short story. It describes Poe's use of the first person voice to create intimacy. The paper illustrates the dark quality of the story, and the main character's desire for brutal revenge.
From the Paper
"In "The 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."
Top of Form
by Kerry Michael Wood
• [pic][pic][pic][pic]
In "The Cask of Amontillado," Edgar Allan Poe demonstrates every possible variation of irony while crafting a chilling tale of a man being chained, walled in, and left to die in a catacomb.
The Story
"The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge." The opening line of the story presents irony of situation. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" is a sentence most all of us remember from childhood. Poe's speaker says the opposite. He has suffered injuries without complaint, but insults he will not abide. The protagonist Montresor has a name that means "my treasure." He declares his intention to wreak vengeance on unfortunate Fortunato, who has committed some unspecified insult to Montresor's name and reputation. Additionally, "a wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes the redresser." Montresor seeks not just to punish, "but to punish with impunity."
We know that Montresor hates Fortunato, but Fortunato is unaware of this. The doomed
This paper examines "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe and provides a synopsis of the short story. It describes Poe's use of the first person voice to create intimacy. The paper illustrates the dark quality of the story, and the main character's desire for brutal revenge.
From the Paper
"In "The 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."
Top of Form
by Kerry Michael Wood
• [pic][pic][pic][pic]
In "The Cask of Amontillado," Edgar Allan Poe demonstrates every possible variation of irony while crafting a chilling tale of a man being chained, walled in, and left to die in a catacomb.
The Story
"The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge." The opening line of the story presents irony of situation. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" is a sentence most all of us remember from childhood. Poe's speaker says the opposite. He has suffered injuries without complaint, but insults he will not abide. The protagonist Montresor has a name that means "my treasure." He declares his intention to wreak vengeance on unfortunate Fortunato, who has committed some unspecified insult to Montresor's name and reputation. Additionally, "a wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes the redresser." Montresor seeks not just to punish, "but to punish with impunity."
We know that Montresor hates Fortunato, but Fortunato is unaware of this. The doomed