Edgar Allan Poe uses diction and setting to create the mood in The Cask Of Amontillado.
Poe’s effective use of diction helps establish the sinister mood. As Montressor contemplates his plot against Fotunato he says “he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.” Montressor gives insight into his thoughts and plan revealing the hoax against him. He uses such words as immolation to also foreshadow a death in the story. The fact that Montressor not only “wants to punish” Fortunato “but punish with impunity” makes you quiver knowing that he wants to get away with whatever he does. It is like a killer that can not be caught, they have impunity.
The setting damp and dark contributes to the ominous atmosphere. As Montressor leads Fortunato into the catacomb he says that “the walls are covered in nitre” that form a “glistening web work.” “Web work” creates an image of spider webs covering the walls and an image of decay. This description of setting also gives off a feeling of being trapped. In your mind you picture a spider trapping someone in its web. In this case Montressor is the spider, and Fortunato is his victim. “it hangs like moss upon vaults” in the example Poe uses a simile to compare the nitre to moss hanging on vaults. This technique creates a creepy and abandoned feel that scares you; these techniques all effectively create the mood of the story.
Edgar Allan Poe uses diction and setting to create the mood in The Cask Of Amontillado.
Poe’s effective use of diction helps establish the sinister mood. As Montressor contemplates his plot against Fotunato he says “he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.” Montressor gives insight into his thoughts and plan revealing the hoax against him. He uses such words as immolation to also foreshadow a death in the story. The fact that Montressor not only “wants to punish” Fortunato “but punish with impunity” makes you quiver knowing that he...