i need to have a summery of the cask of amontillado tonight. i have read it several times and really dont understand it very well. of someone could please send me a lil something to help me get started i would really appreciate it. its due in the morning:(

thanx sarah

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2002

Answers

dear sarah, i donīt really have a summary but a bit of an analysis if that is what you need?!

the cask of A. is supposed to be a deathbed-confession, the motive of revenge is important, the setting is italy, time: 18th century. the story takes place from dusk till midnight. carnival is an unusual function, as nothing is like it alsways is when it is carnival. the narrative ironie is very important, just like the character of obsession: revenge, the victim has the obsession to be a connaisseur of wines, the murderer has also an obsession, he uses the victims vanity to lead him to destruction, uses his weak points, plays with his obsession which is tragic and ironic at once. fortunado means: the fortunate one. carnival: madness, masks: can hide your identity, hide your motives. carnival is the time of rebellious spirit, the breakthrough normal life. the relationship: they seemed to be friends, murderer plays with the motive of friendship, but narrator isnt friend with fortunado. in the first sentece he said that F. insulted him once and this is why he kills him. leads him into the cellar where there is a hole in the wall, another room. and he puts F in chais and leaves him there.

actually there is not much of the story to understand but you have to understand the interpretations.

hope i could have helped you, love, sabine

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2002

Didn't get that the story was clearly a "deathbed confession",on the contrary it is defensive even bragging though it plainly disturbs the urbane, proud murderer after many years.

Poe's stories are short. Perhaps the language of the times and the stylized embellishments prove difficult. Symbolism and references to unknown names and writings often throw readers. They did in Poe's time too, just as Shakespeare's contemporaries sometimes found him daunting.

But for Poe the simplicity of the clear effect, the unity of all elements makes it so easy we refuse to state what was meant to be obvious. The hard stuff also fits into the mood, whether we get all the references or not. Sometimes they are only for color or even made up. He is an excellent plotter and simple in all his basics. Skimming over the philosophic digressions may be forgiven in getting at the rough summary, but often they are the revelatory key to the man's will and rationalization of his behavior, sometimes deceiving or self-deceiving. What I am trying to say detail the actions of the narrator: first his detail of the conflict between himself and Fortunato,the insult to his honor. The teasing entrapment of his enemy in great detail to show his superority and power. That during these stages Montresor becomes disturbed and doubtful, but persists and denies his own inner conflict, effectively burying his conscience all over again, content at least that his revenge has been clever and perfect. Is Montresor more dead now? He still remembers and covers over his weakenings.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2002

Darn. Well what is the impression of this confession? Horror, the persistence of the proud ciminal, self-justifying, unrepentant, something missing, something carved out of the soul. That mood hangs over all and is sealed in Fortunato's crypt.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2002