Sunday, October 25, 2015

What are the major points in "The Cask of Amontillado?"

Major points as in major plot points?  That's really best discussed in the notes on the first link below, although the highlights would include Montressor tricking Fortunato by claiming to have purchased a cask of Amontillado and needing to have it authenticated, Montressor's drunk acceptance and his willingness to follow Montressor into the catacombs beneath Montressor's home, and finally Montressor chaining Fortunato and bricking him into the wall.

Honestly, though, I don't think the plot points are nearly as interesting as the analysis.  Is Montressor trying to brick away some psychosis or defect in his own personality that he has come to associate with Fortunato?  Is he sexually excited by the murder?  What is up with all the religious imagery, and is this a story about man's relationship with god?  This is the interesting part of the story... seriously.  You may want to read a couple of the essays I've linked to below to get an idea of the deeper levels on this story.

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