The Birthmark and The Cask of Amontillado Essay Example

no idea that his fate is already being plotted. “He did not understand that my smile was now at the thought of his immolation. ”(p. 89). Even as he leads Fortunado to his vaults to ostensibly sip his wine, Montresor remains coy, reminding him of the damp vaults, that they better turn back, that he will be missed.

These words only hasten Fortunado onward and he tells his presumed friend that he won’t die from a cough. “True, true,” I replied (p. 91), then Montresor cruelly drinks to his “long life. ” (p. 92). Chaining and sealing him up, Montresor rethinks his plan, but only momentarily. As Fortunado moans and pleads for his life, saying, ”Let us be gone,” Montresor answers ironically, “Yes, let us be gone”(p. 95). Knowing he has accomplished his goal, Montresor has done so with impunity and no one ever learns of his actions.

The men in these tales achieve what they set out to do; irrevocably change another person. They apply all attention possible towards gaining their purposes. The other characters, who are at their mercy, die. Thus, Alymer loses his love by trying to perfect her and Montresor avenges his anger by killing the one who offended him. Both actions reveal the parallel themes of obsession and death which prevail in these stories. Although they are not lovely emotions, they are vivid ones and accurately reflect what is inside Alymer and Montresor.