Waltrip 1 Nicholas Waltrip Mrs. Marrero English I Honors Gifted 11 September 2009 Irony: Horror and Personality Edgar Allen Poe was a very famous American author whose short stories have become increasingly famous over the past century. One of the reasons his stories are so popular is because of his masterful use of irony and how they affect many aspects of his stories. Two of his most famous pieces are The Cask of Amontillado and The Tell Tale Heart. In these short stories, Poe uses his expertise in the use of irony to enhance the feeling of horror, and to develop the complex personalities and
Waltrip 2 identities of the characters. It is through this use of irony that Poe captivates us and pulls us further into his twisted tales. Firstly, Poe uses irony to unravel the character s personalities and identities. To exemplify, in The Cask of Amontillado the characters names in themselves are a form of irony that depicts their characterization. One of the characters names is Fortunate, which translates to Fortunate One. As we have come to know by reading the story, Fortunato is in no way fortunate. Contrary to expectation, Fortunato is the most unlucky person in the story due to the fact that he is being led to his own death. Also, in the story, fortunate is fortunate is dressed as a court jester (fool) which is an ironic pun on the fact that he is being played for a fool. It is through this type of irony that we come to understand the story s characters a little more. We also come to understand Montresor s insanity when he says, I continued, as was my into
Waltrip 3 smile in his face, and he did not perceive my smile now was at the thought of his immolation. It is through this that we come to know that Montresor is not mentally healthy because he finds the thought of Fortunato s death amusing. We find this same evidence of insanity in The Tell Tale Heart. In the story, the main character is constantly insisting that he is not insane. However, he says things that would make him be considered insane like, I heard many things in hell, and, For a whole hour I did not move a muscle. He ventured on to say that what we might consider insane, is just over acuteness of the senses. He also explains that it was not the man that he disliked, it was his vulture eye that tortured him so. This is just further evidence that this man is not in his right mind. Furthermore, in both stories, Poe uses irony to create a stronger sense of horror. One way he does this in The Cask Of
Waltrip 4 Amontillado is by creating the illusion that Montresor cares for Fortunato. Montresor says things like, your health is precious., I must first render you all the little attentions in my power. and follow with caution. Since Fortunato thinks that Montresor cares for him, it makes the betrayal that much worse, and the whole deception even more horrifying. This idea also translates to The Tell Tale Heart. The narrator says, I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him. It is this false feeling of trust that makes the murders further exhilarating and horrific. Also, in The Cask of Amontillado, the constant reference to Fortunato s long, healthy, life makes the story more frightening. For example, while in the catacombs Fortunato has a coughing fit. When Montresor gestures to turn back, Fortunato says, The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough. This ironic pun of his life expectancy is what makes his impending
Waltrip 5 doom grimmer. Also, Montresor pours Fortunato a class of wine and Fortunato says, I drink to the buried that repose around us. to which Montresor replies, And I to your long life in this scenario, booth characters are making a morbid pun about Fortunatos death, although fortunate does not realize it. As has been noted, Poe uses irony in his stories to accomplish certain tasks in a subtle way. In this case, it was to enhance the horror of the story, and to unravel the characterization, and identity of the characters. Through this use of irony, we remain captivated in the worlds that Poe creates in his Stories. With each ironic twist and turn, our minds are captivated somewhere between reality, and the depths of the catacombs or floorboards.