Amontillado Symbolism

In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allen Poe starts by allowing the character, Montresor, to establish a connection with the reader in order for the reader to relate to what is happening and will happen later on. In the story, Montresor starts off by explaining how Fortunato had passed on his limits of insults against Montresor, and that he will no longer allow another insult to be made against him. He emphasizes that the only feasible punishment would be and should be death, yet death with “impunity” (Poe 236). Montresor goes on to interpret to the reader his plan on how he will bring misfortune to Fortunato. As the story is read, Poe instills into the story symbols, in order for the reader to obtain insight to the direction of the story. The symbols also allow for the connection between the reader and the story, as well as the connection with Montresor, to thrive. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Poe puts emphasis on three

The catacombs, in “The Cask of Amontillado,” are used to symbolize death. The catacombs, back in this time period, were used as an underground cemetery where people would bury their loved ones. The catacombs are symbolic because it is where Montresor was able to detain Fortunato and bury him alive, alongside his dead loved ones. “We had passed through walls of pilled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs. I paused again, and this time I made bold to seize Fortunato by an arm above the elbow” (Poe 238). Montresor noticed the moment was right in which he was able to seize Fortunato and chain him, so that he could start building the wall. Also, in Montresor’s case, the catacombs were the best place to carry out his vicious plan. Since the catacombs were so far underground, no one was able to hear the “succession of loud and shrill screams” (Poe 240), that came from Fortunato. Montresor was able to accomplish his goal without any