Edgar Alan Poe is well known for his use of suspense. This can readily be seen in “The Cask of Amontillado”. The author creates a dark atmosphere, which is conducive to many possibilities. He uses foreshadowing throughout the piece and provides us with clues about what may occur as the plot unfolds. The narration of the story is another method Poe uses to develop suspense in the story. These are the ways in which Poe develops suspense in this story.
The author creates an environment in which anything may occur. Montresor escorts his “friend”, Fortunato, into his catacombs. The catacombs under Montresor’s estate are dark, damp and gloomy. Poe creates an atmosphere that gives the impression that mischief may occur in the story, however it is unclear how the misdeed is going to transpire. Poe arranges for Montresor’s servants to leave to the carnival; leaving Montresor and Fortunato without company in the house. The uncertaint
“Observe the white web-work which gleams from these cavern walls,” said Montersor to Fortunato when describing the nitrre on the wall. Poe’s depiction of the nitre makes the setting feel more dangerous. Cob webs usually refer to an isolated location that not many people frequent; making the catacombs a dangerous place for Fotunato. The reference to the web also hints that Montresor may be forming a trap for his victim to fall in to as a spider would. This is proven at the end of the story when Montresor secures his prey a depression in the walls. Poe effectively used the setting to give us a hint to the end of the story. The unreliable narrator becomes another source of suspense for the reader.
Montresor states his objection to Fortunato’s repeated insults. Having an unreliable narrator is an indirect source of suspense because his emotional and personal involvement in the plot affects the way the story is perceived. Throughout the story, Montresor’s exact intent
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