Comparison and Contrast of The Cask of Amontillado and A Rose for Emily
The act of murder is always a compelling element in fiction. EdgarAllan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" and William Faulkner's "A Rose forEmily" are excellent murder stories. By creating dynamic characters, usingvivid detail, and employing the element of suspense, Poe and Faulknerengaging and lively stories that give us a glimpse into twisted murdercrimes. This paper will compare and contrast elements of these storiesthat make them unique and a pleasure to read. Although Montresor and Emily are very different characters; however,they have one thing in common in that they commit premeditated murder. Forexample, Montresor does not he his motive for murder nor does he show anyremorse about it. We are told that Montresor has made sure the house isempty prior to Fortunato's arrival. We are told that, "there are noattendants at home . . . I had told them that I should not return until themorning, and had given them explicit orders not to stir from the house"(Poe 92). Additionally, we are also aware that he took the trowel withhim while the mortar waited below in the catacombs. In comparison, Emilyalso prepares for her murder by buying the arsenic. (Faulkner 456) Emily
We haveto wonder if Homer ever knew what was coming. By using specific detail, creating dynamic characters, andemploying suspense, we can truly appreciate how each author understands thecomplexities of the human psyche. In contrast, Emily is very subtle about her intentions. Over the years, Emily's hair grew "grayer andgrayer until it attained an even pepper-and-salt iron-gray" (457). At the end of "The Cask ofAmontillado," Fortunato is aware of what is happening to him and who isdoing it, although he probably does not know why. (Faulkner 456) These stories are unique because they cause us to wonderhow the story will end. In "The Cask of Amontillado," we arefully aware of what is going on in Montresor's mind throughout the entirestory. (458)Montresor and Emily also choose to keep their murderous acts to themselvesand they do not seem to care if their victim is truly aware of why they arebeing punished. Each author also employs vivid detail to make his stories come to life. In fact, we can also assume that each protagonist is not concerned if theirvictim should learn a lesson because their main focus is revenge forrevenge's sake. Poe and Faulkner demonstrate their ability tocraft unique situations from unique characters. In fact,the day she died, her hair was still that same iron gray. For example,Montresor and Fortunato walk through "darkened suites of rooms to thearchway" that led to the vaults and to a "long and winding staircase,finally reaching the damp catacombs" (Poe 92). The color grayin these instances represents aging and death. On a tarnished gilt easel before the fireplace stood acrayon portrait of Miss Emily's father.
Common topics in this essay:
Montresor Emily,
Amontillado Fortunato,
Poe Faulkner,
Rose Emily,
Montresor Fortunato,
Fortunato Montresor,
Emily Emily's,
Cask Amontillado,
Miss Emily's,
Similarly Poe,
poe faulkner,
cask amontillado,
creating dynamic characters,
dynamic characters,
poe 92,
creating dynamic,
vivid detail,
stories unique,
rose emily,
montresor emily,
faulkner 456,
|
Acceptance Essays
