Comparing Poe's The Cask Of Amontillado, And The Raven

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Edgar Allan Poe’s many works including his short stories such as “The Fall of the House of Usher”, “The Cask of Amontillado”, and “Tell-Tale Heart” to his poems such as “Annabel Lee” and “The Raven” beguiled audiences with his tales of horror and death. His writing style was characterized by elements of Gothic fiction. The term Gothic fiction refers to a style of writing which is characterized by elements of fear, horror, death, and gloom, as well as including some romantic elements. Poe pulled inspiration for his horrifically fantastic stories not from other authors and their works, but rather his own life. He was born on January 19, 1809 to two traveling actors who died when he was three and was later taken in by John and Frances Allan who …show more content…

Montresor is planning on seeking revenge on a man who wronged him named Fortunato; however, in order to carry out his plans he “gives explicit orders [to his attendants] not to stir from the house” (118). Through telling his attendants not to leave the home he knew with certainty they would vacate in the blink of an eye. With the usage of irony in his story, Poe displays Montresor’s mastery of manipulating his attendants showing to the reader the more atrocious side of the human mind. Carrying on with the “The Cask of Amontillado”, Montresor’s manipulative and wicked characteristics come to full front when Fortunato ironically comments about the stupidity of his rival. As they are walking about the catacombs, Montresor comments,“herein is the Amontillado. As for Luchesi——” (120), however he was not able to finish his sentence due to Fortunato interjecting, “He is an ignoramus” (120). This is ironic however because he is unintentionally walking into the room where Montresor plans on killing him. Thus, truly highlighting Montresor’s mastery of manipulating Fortunato. With the usage of irony, Edgar Allan Poe is able to focus on the immorality of Montresor’s character, further encompassing a more cynical look on the behavior of

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