“The Black Cat” and “The Cask of Amontillado”: Literary Analysis

Edgar Allen Poe is one of the most prolific writers of short stories, having influenced other prominent authors such as Bauelaire and Dostoyevsky. His short stories have changed modern literature, not only directly but indirectly: inspiring authors who subsequently inspire others, creating entirely new works of fiction. Poe is renowned for his short horror stories which delve into themes involving the psychology of murderers and their crimes. Although it may seems easy for a horror story to be written about murder, surprisingly, the murders are not alarming due to alarming depictions of death but rather due to the mangled psycology of the killers. By comparing two of Poe’s works; “The Black Cat” and “The Cask of Amontillado” common themes are uncovered which contribute to Poe’s exceptional writing.

How Does Poe Write Terrifying, Intriguing stories?

Poe writes from the perspective of the murderers which allows the reader to view the psychology of the killers. In “The Black Cat” the narrator is on death row; his execution date is tomorrow however he seems unbothered by this fact: “But to-morrow I die, and to-day I would unburden my soul”. Before his execution, the narrator confesses his crime in writing, not for forgiveness but in an attempt to sway any reader into sympathizing with him. Like “The Black Cat”, “The Cask of Amontillado” is also told in the form as a confession to a murder: “You, who know the nature of my soul, will not suppose however that I gave utterance to a threat”. The exact person who the narrator speaks to is cause for much debate although some believe that Montresor, the narrator, is confessing to a priest in an attempt to cleanse his soul before he dies. Both stories are told from the perspective of the narrator because of this they are able to manipulate their tale as they recount their crimes. This simple technique creates a sense of unease and skepticism causing the reader to not trust the narrator.

The stories outwardly follow the narrator while committing their crimes, but the reader is also able to listen to their inner thoughts. This method elevates to the horror of the writing, allowing the readers to understand the psychological influence which caused the killers to commit their crimes. Montresor in “The Cask of Amontillado” boasts of his deceit and manipulation of his victims, still jovila about his kill: “I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation”. As the twisted narrator continues to speak of manipulating his close friend, the reader is compelled to question their own relashipships and doubt their friends with pure intentions. In “The Black Cat” the, narrator talks of his transfomration into the murderer he became saying, “Our friendship lasted, in this manner, for several years, during which my general temperament and character-through the instrumentality of the Fiend Intemperance- had (I blush to confess it) experienced radical alteration of the worse”. The “Fiend Intemperance” of which the narrator mentions is his consuptions of alcohol. He blames the alcohol for his change in personality, however, it is clear he is not regretful of said change blushing during a serious recounting of a murder. In a sense, the reader begins to lose faith in humanity; they recognize how a murderer can act so calm and unincumbered by their terrible actions. The reader also sees the psychological horror of how a killer thinks in a relativly logical way, downplaying each murder to appear rational. The fear which is limited from Poe’s horror is not only the horror of the context, but also the horror that you, the reader, might become like the killers.

Poe’s storys each tell the acts of gruesome murders, which adds to the horrors the reader must endure. The murders are not comitted by guns or poison, but by personal methods demonstraighting the lunacy and joy each narrator shares in killing. Montresor from “The Cask of Amontillado” specifically wishes to make his victim suffer for the many injuries he had caused him. It is because of this that he buries Fortunato alive, chaining him to a rock and sealing the wall around him. He describes, “A moment more and I had fettered him to the granite. On its surface were two iron staples distant from each other about two feet”. This murder forces him to witness his own burial, betrayed by his close friend. Montresor had planned on this murder, bringing plaster and mortar to seal the wall with his victim behind. “The Black Cat” also has a gruesome and personal method of killing. While attempting to kill a cat he is stopped by his wife which causes him to become “goaded by the interference into a rage more than demonical, I withdrew my arm from her grasp and buried the ax in her brain”. The horrible imagry which accompanies the murder can also be seen as the joy the criminals both felt as they committed crimes. They both appear to relish in their kills, joyfully reliving the moment.

Conclusion

Edgar Allen Poe is one of the most prolific writers of short stories. His influence has stretched over multiple generations and languages inspiring countless new works. His works of horror are recognized for their frightening dives into the mind of the murderers, exploring the most terrifying aspect of a murder: the killer’s psycology. “The Black Cat' and “The Cask of Amontillado' have a variety of similar, underlying themes which are used to enhance his works. Both stories are told in the form of confessions. Because of this formate the narrator recounts the crimes from his perspective allowing the reader an insightful look into the mind of a murderer. Poe uses this to his advantage, using every opportunity to make his characters relatable yet entirely repulsive. Finally, the methods in which each murder takes place are personal and show the horrors of the murders mind. It is by breaking down and analyzing Poe’s works can we uncover common themes and understand what makes his literature so influential and horrific.

Work Cited

• Poe, Edgar Allen. “The Black Cat.” Robert DiYanni. Literature: Approaches to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. 2nd ed., McGraw Hill 2008. pp. 137-143
• Poe, Edgar Allen. “The Cask of Amontillado.” Robert DiYanni. Literature: Approaches to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. 2nd ed., McGraw Hill 2008. pp. 144-148