These Words Seem A Little Deeper Than Once Thought
Throughout the short story, “Cask of Amontillado” by famed author Edgar Allen Poe, there are quite a few things to consider that will help a person in figuring out the true meaning of the story. Some say that by doing this you are creating quite a difficult task, but you just have to be able to look for things you know have a deeper meaning then what is portrayed within the lines of the story itself. Most works of literature are carefully thought out so the author may bring meaning to even the tiniest items within the setting of the book. To help find the true meaning of this story you must locate all the different meanings of symbolism used to create the setting and characters of Poe’s story. By doing this it will be much easier to come to a conclusion.
Let’s start with the most prime target of symbolism which is the amontillado itself this key element is used quite frequently within the story. Providing a significant matter, because it is the subject used to lure Fortunato to his doom and represents a temptation that is otherwise unknown to anybody. This is quite an interesting thing to bring up since the wine was never actually shown to him, but the interest created by talking about it was enough to lead him down into the Luchesi. This proves to be a prime example of how curiosity and temptations in life can bring dire consequences to people who follow what they want instead of figuring out how to bring themselves to these items and earn them fairly. Amontillado is stated as a rare, precious, and expensive thing to own. Meaning that people think differently when put into situation where ‘sin’ is front and center. With Fortunato following him into the steps of the mansion it shows they he believes he is above all else and he shouldn’t be in the same category as the others.
Within the first section of this story we catch our first glimpse of a recognized symbolism. Montresor’s clown costume described as,...