I have a research paper to about the symbolism Poe uses in his stories "The Black Cat" and "The Cask of Amontillado." I know that in both the stories that the characters going down stairs represents death to occur, but what else is there?? What am I overlooking???? Please help if you can. This paper is due Friday Dec. 7. And I am stuck. Thanks so much!! Love Michele

-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001

Answers

The gallows symbol on the cat. The costumes in Amontillado. The Montressor coat of arms, the trowel. The burial behind a wall that cannot block out memory of the deed- and ghosts live on despite the deaths(wife, Fortunato). The Cask villain has less of a conscience and therefore gets away with his crime. The murderer in the Black cat is demonized by drink and done in by his obsession with the cat. Someone is buried alive and noisy(cat, Fortunato). Check out colors, lighting, crypt like scene, the theme of drink as destructive and leading to irrationality, murder and death. usually the drink is red(blood) wine which often in Poe accompanies the black of death and night.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001