Irony and Inevitable Justice in Poe's Gothic Works

In Edgar Allen Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher ," the author uses the main character to illustrate the inevitability of punishment for an immoral act. The narrator tells the story of his boyhood companion, Roderick Usher , who summons him to his "mansion of gloom" (Poe 529) after suffering a prolonged illness of the mind. During his visit, Roderick's twin sister, the Lady Madeline dies from an unknown malady. The two bear the deceased Lady Madeline to her tomb and lay her low in one of the a

Poe reveals Montresor's insanity as the man "[forces] the last stone into its position" and "[makes] an end of [his] labors" (Poe 567). Yet it is this "ironic vengeance" (Harris 33). which Poe's uses to exemplify the inevitability of poetic justice.

Despite the difference in plot the outcome of Poe's stories illustrates his intended theme. The punishment of crime is inevitable and cannot be avoided. With the author's skilled use of character and plot, Poe shows that justice will always come to those who have done wrong.

"The Cask of Amontillado" also carries the same theme as the "The Fall of the House of Usher ." The inevitability of justice in the story is illustrated by the narrator's descent into madness after he takes revenge on his life-long enemy, the unfortunate Fortunato. The irony of the man's name is clear, as Fortunato actually means fortunate. Slighted for the last time, the narrator, later revealed to the reader as Montresor, decides at length to avenge his honor. During a festive celebration he takes his opportunity and romances Fortunato into trying the newest addition to his wine stores, a cask of Amontillado, which gives the story its title. He leads Fortunato deeper and deeper into the catacombs of his cellar.

Trist" is a reference to the incestuous relationship between the Lady Madeline and her twin brother Roderick. Madeline's last act of

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