Proof of Unreliability in the Cask of Amontillado
Michael Ljubsa
ID# 1790093
Rashmi Jyoti
ENGL-103 CU85
Word Count: 998
Proof of Unreliability in The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe is an author known for his pieces of literature which capture the element of mystery. Many times, scholars debate over the true meaning behind his texts as they are often written as narratives. This combination of an unclear meaning behind his work and the fact that his stories are narratives often leads to the question of, "To what extent can the narrator be relied upon?" The same issue arises in Poe 's, "The Cask of Amontillado". The story is a reflection of the past, involving a plot that evolves into a murder mystery involving two gentlemen, Montresor and Fortunato. The story is told from Montresor 's point of view, recalling an event that occured fifty years ago. Montresor secretly despises Fortunato due to past "insults" that are claimed to be unforgiveable. Montresor demands revenge for these acts and plans Fortunato 's murder and later tricks him into death. The story provokes questioning as to whether the narrator of the story can be relied upon to accurately display the events described. In Edgar Allan Poe 's, "The Cask of Amontillado", Montresor does not provide enough insight into the information that remains with hidden meaning. He fails to provide significant causes for action due to the lack of description and proof, and the arugment of whether Montresor could be considered insane also arises. Montresor only further confuses the reader by pointing out all the obvious irony surrounding the two main characters Montresor and Fortunato. Therefore, the narrator 's accounts cannot be considered reliable. The lack of Montresor 's ability to explain the past and why he feels such a hatred towards Fortunato is why his account of the story cannot be relied upon. "The Cask of Amontillado" begins with Montresor providing his own reason for wishing death upon Fortunato. The two first lines read, "The thousand injuries
ID# 1790093
Rashmi Jyoti
ENGL-103 CU85
Word Count: 998
Proof of Unreliability in The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe is an author known for his pieces of literature which capture the element of mystery. Many times, scholars debate over the true meaning behind his texts as they are often written as narratives. This combination of an unclear meaning behind his work and the fact that his stories are narratives often leads to the question of, "To what extent can the narrator be relied upon?" The same issue arises in Poe 's, "The Cask of Amontillado". The story is a reflection of the past, involving a plot that evolves into a murder mystery involving two gentlemen, Montresor and Fortunato. The story is told from Montresor 's point of view, recalling an event that occured fifty years ago. Montresor secretly despises Fortunato due to past "insults" that are claimed to be unforgiveable. Montresor demands revenge for these acts and plans Fortunato 's murder and later tricks him into death. The story provokes questioning as to whether the narrator of the story can be relied upon to accurately display the events described. In Edgar Allan Poe 's, "The Cask of Amontillado", Montresor does not provide enough insight into the information that remains with hidden meaning. He fails to provide significant causes for action due to the lack of description and proof, and the arugment of whether Montresor could be considered insane also arises. Montresor only further confuses the reader by pointing out all the obvious irony surrounding the two main characters Montresor and Fortunato. Therefore, the narrator 's accounts cannot be considered reliable. The lack of Montresor 's ability to explain the past and why he feels such a hatred towards Fortunato is why his account of the story cannot be relied upon. "The Cask of Amontillado" begins with Montresor providing his own reason for wishing death upon Fortunato. The two first lines read, "The thousand injuries
References: Baraban, Elena. "The Motive for Murder in 'The Cask of Amontillado." Rocky Mountain Review of Language and Literature. 58.2. (2004): 47-62. Print. Poe, Edger Allan. "The Cask of Amontillado." Portable Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing, Eighth Edition. Ed. Michael Rosenberg. Boston: Wadsworth, 2012. 218-223. Print.