Edgar Allan Poe exhibits his unique style of writing in "The Cask of Amontillado" as does Ralph Ellison in "Battle Royal". There are specific elements that each author uses to make his writing distinctive. In "Battle Royal" by Ralph Ellison, and "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe, the authors make use of the different style techniques of foreshadowing, diction and vocabulary, setting significance, similes, and sight details in comparable ways.
Both Ellison and Poe make use of foreshadowing to add suspense and dimension to their stories. Ellison uses foreshadowing when he mentions, through the thought of the Sambo, the main character, the "Battle Royal" that he will have to fight in during later parts of the story. The author also hints constantly that Sambo will become an activist for Black's right and thus follow in his grandfather's footsteps. When the grandpa says, "Learn it to the younguns" (Ellison148) he his foreshadowing that the "younguns", in this case, Sambo, will be taught that his grandfather fought for and will do the same. Another instance where Ellison insinuates that Sambo will do as his grandfather did was when he reflects on the last words of his grandfather and prepares himself to make a speech on social equality at the upcoming "Battle Royal":.
" . . . When I was praised fro my conduct I felt a guilt that in some way I was doing something that was really against the wishes of the white folks, that if they had understood they would have desired me to act just the opposite, that I should have been sulky and mean, and that that really would have been what they wanted . . . everyone praised me and I was invited to give the speech at a gathering of the town's leading white citizens." (Ellison 149).
Ellison uses quotes like these throughout the story to foreshadow the boy becoming an advocate of the rights of the African-American people.
