Symbolism in Poe And The Cask Of Amotillado and The Story Of An Hour - Essay Example

?Symbolism Introduction The “Poe and a Cask of Amontillado” is a story of humiliation and revenge. The Poe tries to answer many questions in the story and some imagination is left to the readers as well.The symbolism is evident in many parts of the story and it gives depth and meaning to it. The symbolism in the story has given background theme and depth to the characters. The settings and actions of the characters in the story are the main symbolism. It is same in the case of “ The Story of an Hour” where the characters are surrounded by symbols . The symbols are spread in the story and enriches the character to a great extend. “Symbolism in both the stories have given depth and value to the story and increased the creativity of the writers”. (Thesis) The main symbolism is amontillado, the clown costume and the manner in which Fortunato dies. Amontillado is a major symbol because it is what lures fortunato and symbolizes a rare attitude. Even though Montresor never has this rare wine he tempted Fortunato to join him to his Luchesi. Here the Fortunato’s tendency towards higher tradition of life is depicted. Amontillado is expensive, rare and precious. Another argument is that Fortunato had spent night with Montresor’s wife which is an insult to many. For every one wife is precious as Amontillado, The clown costume also has a significant symbolization in the story. It is a way of Motresor to humiliate Fortunato for the anger he had caused him. Montresor want fortunate to die like a fool that he is. The symbols focused by the author in story are somewhat humiliating. The clown costume showcases him in a humiliating way and Montresor understands this. The carnival was also symbolization along with clown costume. Normally, in carnivals people get out of normal habits that they do in usual life. So it was one way of Montresor to become devious and out of normal look. Carnival is an occasion of celebration and it is a way of Montresor to celebrate his revenge towards Fortunato. This could be the celebration of the day when he got humiliated. This could be the exact day when he discovered that his wife was cheating him and sleeping with Fortunato.This caused the Montreso to lose his self control. It is not definite what kind of unhappiness triggered in Montreso but it is obvious that it might have been an insult, public embarrassment to his pride and family. The way he killed fortunate was cruel and torturous. The Amontillado represents a precious thing in his life just as his wife.Fortunoto was stoned and chained and killed by Montreso. He wanted to get the happiness by torturing, and insulting Fortunato.The absence of light in the setting is also a symbol in the story. Montreso humiliate Fortunato to forget what he had undergone himself. He gave him the death he deserved. The author intentionally made the readers wonder whether that Montreso was mentally ill or he had real reasons for killing Fortunato. The killing of Fortunato probably gave Montreso his happiness back to an extent. Montreso felt real shame when he was cheated by his wife and Fortunato and for this he planned a insulting and humiliating death to Fortunato .The manner in which Fortunato was killed shows how much pain Montreso has undergone when was cheated. So he chose the right time and outfit for Fortunato to die. The clown outfit of Fortunato showcases him as a fool to the reader. A clown outfit is what a fool would wear and symbolizes his character in the story. There are some symbols in the novel “The story of an hour” and they are heart trouble, the open window, the patches of blue sky, and death. The heart trouble which the character Louise experience is both a symbolic and physical malady which shows her restriction and unhappiness in life. The first thing one know about Louise is her heart attack and this is what makes the death of Brently threatening. A person with weak heart cannot handle news of death easily. When Louise gets freedom her heart races and pumps blood through her veins. Her death in the end and the diagnosis of her heart disease seems appropriate as because shock of experiencing Brently’s death is strong enough to kill her. The doctor’s verdict about her dying of overwhelming joy is ironical as it is pathetic to know that she indeed died of joy. She has dies of broken heart because she lost her independence all of a sudden. Death is also a symbol which clearly seen in the story of Kate Chopin. The death hovers around in the house of Mrs. Mallard at all times. She is always on the hold on death and she has to be protected against a potential shock which could lead her to death. The death of the Mr. Mallard is also an incidence of shock in the story. The majority of the story shows how Mrs. Mallard try to save her husband from death. But ultimately she finds out that death cheats her and she also ultimately dies. It seems as if death is there ready to take life of both Mr. and Mrs. Mallard. Actually death was to swallow Mrs. Mallard but her husband died on first hand.The open window is another major symbol of the story. In the story, most of the time Louise stares out of the window and it represents the opportunities and freedom that awaits her after her husband has died. Through the window, she sees the birds, the sky, clouds and tree tops which giver her joy and happiness. She listens to people and birds singing and also sees s the coming of a rainstorm. Everything she senses indicates a coming of joy and spring – a sign of new life. When she ponders at the sky she feels elated. One she indulges in this excitement she feels that window is bestowing her new life. The open window provides her a bright and clear view of her future. Also when she turns away from the window she loses her freedom as well.The patches of blue sky are also a symbol in story .When Louise watches the patches of the sky she feels happiness and freedom which it symbolizes. Conclusion The symbolism in the story of “ Poe and the cask of Amotillado” is explicit and obvious. The person can understand that the Amotillado being the title and focus of the story has a main role to play. The death is caused with the help of amontillado and same goes with the clown outfit. The outfit directs to the readers about the mockery of the victim and same is with the situation in which the person is killed. In the novel “The story of an hour’ one of the symbol which is death is evident but other ones like open window is not so projected but can be understood with more investigation. The patches of clouds is a symbol which subtle and deep. However, the authors have used much imagination and creativity in using which enhanced the richness of the story. 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