24th Annual Student Research Conference
"The Cask of Amontillado": A Psychoanalytic Criticism
Alexander C. DaGue
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
Edgar Allen Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" is the story of a cunning, pre-meditated murder carried out by Montressor. A man by the name of Fortunato makes the fateful mistake of entering the catacombs with Montressor while everyone outside resumes Mardi Gras festivities. Many times does Montressor reveal his plans through witty sayings, however Fortunato is blinded by the fine wine (Amontillado) that Montressor promises. Instead, Fortunato finds himself walled up inside the very catacombs themselves. This dark story by Poe displays some of his finest elements of storytelling by revealing so much inside each characters head. I will show the ways that Poe cunningly illustrates this within his work as well as the true motives that drive and fuel this gruesome murder. I will also delve into the mind of Fortunato and reveal his thoughts and reactions to such a terrible fate.
Keywords: Edgar Allen Poe, The Cask of Amontillado, Psycoalanytic Criticism
Topic(s):English
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 41-2
Location: VH 1324
Time: 3:00