"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe

My Reflections on “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe

     The story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” felt like an excavation site where archaeologists are hard at work. It seemed rather mysterious also. The story was being told in the character of “I.” It was a little difficult to follow because of symbolism in the story.

     The beginning of the story presents a conflict. Montressor feels he has been wronged and must seek revenge. The act that wronged him is never mentioned, but he seems consumed with it. He seems to be very adamant about seeking revenge against Fortunato.  He devises a scheme which leads to talks of Amontillado. He tells the character that he wishes to seek revenge against to help him in the search for it. Fortunato seems to like drinking and Montressor feels like he can draw him in because of that. They seem friendly to each other in the piece which makes one question why he would want to seek revenge. The character Montressor does allude that his behavior is false to lure Fortunato in to go look for Amontillado.

     At the end of the story, Montressor is working very hard to find Amontillado. It doesn’t mention Fortunato much in the story at that time. He is not mentioned again until the end of the story. Fortunato does not answer when he is called to which leaves the reader to think he is dead. Montressor seems very sad at the end of the story as well after Fortunato doesn’t answer.

    At the end of the story, it felt to me like Fortunato had been sealed in the catacombs. There were so many references to laying this stone or that stone. The sad tone was present at the end too. I felt this way due to the rest in peace phrasing as well.