... attitude as he essentially is led to his execution sharply contrasts with Montresor's businesslike and somber attitude. As Michelle Marietta notes in her essay about death in Poe's tales, Montresor is focused to the task on hand to the point of "obsession with planning the perfect crime and ... serious and secretive. This secrecy is imitated in Montresor's slaughter of his foe. Montresor's deadly act, he himself, and ultimately Fortunato are all shrouded in mystery and secrecy. Montresor's destruction of his foe is carried out at dusk. He leads Fortunato through the darkness "down a long...

• Word Count: 1679
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate