Pronunciation of Amontillado

The word Amontillado has specific pronunciation in Spain and a different pronunciation in Italy.  As a reader, of course, in the privacy of one's home you can decide for yourself how to say the word or you can just listen to a recording.  But it is always interesting to discover a bit more about the words we use and hear.

Suspense in Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado"

Creating suspense in a short story is tricky, and none did it better than Edgar Allan Poe.  Suspense in "The Cask of Amontillado" is a topic often discussed in schools and this article certainly gives a good description of the techniques used.  From the way the characters are presented to the way in which information is both given and witheld, Poe was a master.

Montresor in The Cask of Amontillado

This article explains the character of Montresor in "The Cask of Amontillado".  Montresor is one of the most infamous of villains, and captures the essence of an evil protagonist.  Yet there are those who would defend his actions or excuse them as justified.  The question he poses, however, is a valid one.  Are there reasons when revenge justifies murder?

In the current political environment there are those who would suggest that yes, under some circumstances killing is the only answer.  In the context of the story, however, there are few who would be able to justify what Montresor does, especially considering that we have no evidence of what wrongs were done to him.

Fortunato in "The Cask of Amontillado"

Fortunato is certainly an interesting character in "The Cask of Amontillado".  He can be described as the victim of misfortune, a fool, or as a justifiably destroyed enemy.  Most pity his fate, but in the end the analysis is always subjective.  The linked article describes his character and refers to the ongoing body of academic analysis produced in the last thirty years or so.

The Cask of Amontillado Mood

So I read "The Cask of Amontillado" back in the day and I understood it just fine, but I never put a ton of thought into it.  I just assumed it was a nice story.  Poe put a ton of thought into it and really analyzed the mood, as the linked article shows.