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Literary Analysis
A literary analysis is essential for identifying content and styles and a vivid understanding of a book. The literary analysis below is contrasting the book the Cask of Amontillado by using a psychoanalysis lens on the character Montresor. It is significant to focus on the character because vengeance and deceit are portrayed in the book. Also, by contrasting the character, the reader can predict the way the story will unfold.
Character; Montresor in the Cask of Amontillado
In the book the Cask of Amontillado, Montresor’s character is significant towards a better understanding of the storyline. Montresor is vengeful, and that trait helps in portraying the theme of vengeance in the book. Montresor wants to punish Fortunato because he believes that he has insulted him in some way (McGrath 31). Montresor argues that Fortunato has led to the eruption of a thousand injuries to him. In the end, Montresor manages to end Fortunato’s life.
Still, the character is portrayed as deceitful. It helps bring the theme of deceit in the book the Cask of Amontillado. Montresor comes up with a plan and intends to lure Fortunato into his trap. His concords show Fortunato wine in the underground. To ensure he does not refuse, he offers to show someone else instead (McGrath 31). That makes Fortunato accept. Montresor also uses reverse-psychology to deceive Fortunato to heed to his plan by pretending to care for his health. Fortunato, unfortunately, gets into the trap. Montresor bricks Fortunato into the wall, just playing jokes on him. Finally, his deceitful plans aiming to kill Fortunato succeeds.
Through the contrast of Montresor in his statement, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge,” the reader generally views the story from a psychoanalytic view. That helps in relating the activities to the story’s possible flow by prediction mechanism (McGrath 31). The presentation of that aspect is further seen in the statement, “I must not only punish, but punish with impunity,” by Montresor. That gives the reader a glimpse of what to expect in the story. From the illustrations, the reader generally understands that the story revolves around conflicts and vengeance.
Montresor also gives the reader a glimpse of the presence of evil persuasions in the story. The reader identifies him as a dark, charismatic individual (Bennett 1). That is justifiable by the narration of Montresor of an event that took place 50 years ago. The character does not portray any sense of guilt due to his action of murdering Fortunato. He narrates the incident with boldness. He even states his reasons for taking action and further illustrates that it was necessary to murder Fortunato.
Conclusion
In the book the Cask of Amontillado, Montresor’s character is significant towards a better understanding of the storyline. Montresor is vengeful, and that trait helps in portraying the theme of vengeance in the book. Through the character, the reader understands the development and significance of the theme deceit in the book. Montresor comes up with a plan and intends to lure Fortunato into his trap. His concords show Fortunato wine in the underground. To ensure he does not refuse, he offers to show someone else instead. At the beginning of the story, Montresor’s narration, the reader can predict the unfolding of the story. Montresor also gives the reader a glimpse of the presence of evil persuasions in the story. From viewing the character’s attributes, the reader identifies him as a dark, charismatic individual.
Works Cited
Bennett, Zachary Z. E. “Killing the Aristocrats: The Mask, the Cask, and Poe’s Ethics of S & M.” Edgar Allan Poe Review, vol. 12, no. 1, Spring 2011, pp. 42–58.EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=hus&AN=61209945&site=ehost-live
McGrath, Patrick. “Method to the Madness.” The New York Times Book Review, 30 June 2013, p. 31(L). Gale Literature Resource Center,https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A335424535/GLS?u=lincclin_ircc&sid=GLS&xid=20c86cfe. Accessed 4 Nov. 2020.