The Cask of Amontillado - Essay Example

Essay The Cask of Amontillado The Cask of Amontillado is a story depicting vendetta. Montresor had been wronged by Fortunato and his pride was wounded. He nursed a grudge against Fortunato devising the perfect revenge against him. He had to make sure when he finally punishes Fortunato it must be in such a way that no one suspects it is his doing. Montresor was a very deceptive man he never showed outwardly his resentment for Fortunato instead he smiled at him as if nothing was going on. Fortunato never suspected ill intentions from his friend.

Montresor knew Fortunato’s weakness and decided to use it to come up with his fool proof plan. On the fateful day, Montresor set out in the evening purposely looking for Fortunato and was very glad when they met. Montresor played with Fortunato’s psychology to get him to do exactly what he wanted him to do. He pretended to need expert advice about a special sherry he just bought, amontillado (Webster 21) and if Fortunato could not give it he would seek the advice of another, a man called Luchesi.

Not wanting to miss a chance to show off his talent, Fortunato was more than eager to go to Montresor’s palazzo (home). Montresor was sure his attendants would have gone to the carnival. Fortunato had absolutely no idea what was going on. Montresor language and character was that of a gentle friend, who was concerned that his friend may not be able endure the nitre (mineral potassium nitrate) present in the vault and suggested they could always go back , yet he knew that Fortunato could not accept to be perceived by a friend as a weak man.

Montresor managed to make Fortunato more intoxicated than he already was by suggesting that some wine may be able to ease his discomfort caused by the nitre. Ironically, Montresor toasted to the long life of Fortunato. When Fortunato asked Montresor his family motto he replied ‘No one attacks me with impunity’. Why didn’t Fortunato realize that Montresor comes from a family with history of revenge? Montresor managed to lead his friend deeper and deeper into the vault until they reached the niche he wanted him to be.

Taking advantage of Fortunato’s state, Montresor went into action and was able to swiftly chain Fortunato to a granite stone. Being a talented mason, Montessori started walling up the entrance to where Fortunato was using stone and mortar. When Fortunato realized what was going on he immediately sobered up. He began screaming and for a moment Montresor doubted his actions. However, he quickly changed his mind and continued burying Fortunato alive basking in his yells. The story ends with Montresor saying “may he rest in peace”.

Montresor’s story is one of a well executed crime of murder. The story reminds the readers the importance of caution when relating with people. Do all the people that you talk, smile and laugh with have sincere motives towards you? The writer also reminds the readers the importance of treating other people well. Fortunato’s unfortunate death would have been avoided if he had treated people with respect and was more mindful of their feelings. If Fortunato had been more careful and less trusting he would have avoided his demise.

Why didn’t he notice that Montresor was wearing a cloak as if he did not want anyone to know who he was? He did not also notice that all Montresor’s attendants were not at home. Why would anyone store the Amontillado he has just bought deep in a crypt? Fortunato did not even suspect Montresor when he produced a trowel from his trowel. I believe if Fortunato had been less trusting of his acquaintances he would have avoided his fate since there were a lot of things that should have raised an alarm in his head.

Unfortunately, Fortunate was a weak man that could easily be manipulated. Works Cited Webster, T., Parkes, W and Reese, D. M. The American Family Encyclopedia of Useful Knowledge, Or Book of 7223 Receipts and Facts. New York: 2009.Print. Essay 2 Name Instructor’s Name Course Date The Legend of Sleepy Hallow. Sleepy Hallow is a beautiful, quiet place whose inhabitants comprise mostly of descendants of Dutch settlers. The story is well written by the author. He is very descriptive giving the reader a very clear understanding of the place, person or characteristic that the author wants to bring out.

The narrator tells a story of a greedy schoolmaster by the name of Ichabod Crane from Connecticut. He was a tall and very slim man, but loved to eat. The author comically describes him as having “the powers of an anaconda”. The school master earnings could not sustain his vast appetite; he therefore did other manual jobs for pay around the village. Ichabod was also a talented singer and had a powerful voice. The female folk of Sleepy Hollow respected him very much since he was an accomplished well read man.

Ichabod was a great gossip as the author puts it “a travelling gazette” and the women loved to hear what gossip he carried on his visits. Sleepy Hollow inhabitants were highly superstitious people who believed in ghosts and goblins, the most famous tale being that of the headless horseman or galloping hessian. This tales would make Ichabod really scared especially when going back home from visiting the Old Dutch good wives. He would resort to singing to keep fear at bay. Ichabod developed an interest towards a beautiful plump girl called Katrina van Tassel.

Ichabod attraction towards the lass was increased when he found just how much wealth she would inherit from her parents since she was an only child. By setting his eyes on the beautiful heiress Ichabod had gained himself a vicious rival, Brom Van Brunt. He was a strong man with powerful limbs and was popularly known by the nickname Brom Bones. Brom Bones was somewhat courting Katrina Van Tassel keeping other suitors at bay, however Ichabod was relentless. He continued with his plan of wining Katrina’s heart but in a cunning manner under the cover of his role as her singing master.

Ichabod received an invitation one day to an evening of merry making at the Van Tassel’s home. He was very excited. He wore his best suite and borrowed a horse from his neighbor Hans van Ripper who was a farmer. At the Van Tassel’s mansion Ichabod was delighted to find a marvelous assortment of well made dishes. Ichabod also had an opportunity to show off his talent in dancing which he prided himself in. He danced with Katrina making Brom Bones sore with envy. He later joined a group of old men sharing stories and as usual the stories drifted to the superstitious stories.

The evening however did not end well for Ichabod since the lady Katrina was not receptive to his advances as he had expected. On his way home, Ichabod met face to face with the legendary Galloping Hessian. There is a chase between the two ending with Ichabod being thrown off the horse. The next day Ichabod was nowhere to be found. The story brings out the concept of rivalry and the extent that people are willing to go. I believe that the headless horse man that Ichabod encountered that night was Brom Bones.

Ichabod was competition and he was determined to keep him away from the lass he wanted to marry. Since Ichabod refused to face him for a physical challenge, Brom Bones decided to use trickery to chase him away (Hedges 142). That is why he always had a knowing look and the mention of the pumpkin made him laugh. The story supports my belief that, there are no such things as ghost and goblins just superstitious people with a vivid imagination. Works Cited Hedges, William L.

 Washington Irving: An American Study, 1802-1832, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1965. Print.