The Use of First Person Narration in The Cask of Amontillado Essay

The Use of First Person Narration in The Cask of AmontilladoEdgar Allen Poes tale of murder and revenge, The Cask of Amontillado, offers a anomalous perspective into the mind of a deranged murderer. The poweriveness of the spirit level is for the most part due to its first person point of view, which allows the reader a deeper pursuit into the thoughts and motivations of the protagonist, Montresor. The first person narration results in an unbalanced viewpoint on the central conflict of the story, man versus man, because the reader knows very little some the thoughts of the antagonist, Fortunato. The setting of The Cask of Amontillado, in the dark catacombs of Montresors wine cellar, contributes to the storys theme that some people will go to peachy lengths to fanatically defend their honor. Because Montresor narrates the story in the first person, the reader is commensurate to perceive his thoughts and understand his motivations and justifications for his ruthless murder in a direction which a third person point of view would not allow. Montresors personal narration of the events of the story does not justify his crime in the audiences eyes, but it does offer a unique chance for the audience to view a murder from the perspective of a harum-scarum killer. It is Poes usage of this unique angle that causes the story to be so captivating and gruesomely fascinating. As the story opens, Montresor explains why it is necessary that he not only punish but punish with impunity to avenge for Fortunados insult to him. This justification for his crime is a piece of information that the audience is able to learn only because they are permitted inside the mind of the protagonist. In the final scene, when Montresor is carrying out his murder pl... ...ause this statement reveals Montresors satisfaction in his belief that justice has been served through his actions when he has actually removed a body from its resting place in order to replace it with a pas s one. Edgar Allen Poes gruesomely fascinating tale of vengeance and murder, The Cask of Amontillado, achieves its effect only through its usage of the first person point of view. This curious perspective enables the reader to view the characters and conflicts through the eyes of the narrator, as he first discusses and justifies, and eventually, carries out his plans for the ruthless murder of his friend. The eerie tone and fox and materialistically-related setting of the story contribute to its theme of defending ones honor and name and avenging all wrongdoings, even something so small as an insult.