There is another significant difference between the ‘The Black Cat’ and ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’, and ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ in the latter the murderer and narrator remains free and is not punished for his crime whereas the murderers in ‘The Black Cat’ and ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ were caught and punished whether through there own guilt or self-confidence.
A major difference between the three stories is the style of the murders; the murder in ‘The Black Cat’ was one of passion unplanned and very careless, the murderer in this story was not as prepared or clever as the other two murderers who were able to prepare thoroughly. Although only the murderer in ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ was calm and smart enough to get away with his crime.
The narrator in ‘The Black Cat’ seems honest and reliable qualities, which the other two do not seem to posses. However the three murderers share a common quality of guilt.
With the exception of ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ the victims were people who were close or compassionate towards their murderer.
The victims in ‘The Black Cat’ differ from the other victims in several ways, it is an animal victim and it is believed to have supernatural qualities. The second victim 9his wife is also the only female character in the three stories.
There also seems to be a pattern of police presence three for one victim in ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ and six for two victims in ‘The Black Cat’.
There is also a harsh contrast between the uses of alcohol use in the two stories ‘The Black Cat’ and ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ in the latter alcohol is used to lure and intoxicate the victim so he is weakened but in ‘The Black Cat’ alcohol consumes the narrators reason and unleashes the perverseness of human nature allowing him to attack his victim unfeelingly and without guilt until after the deed has been done.
However in the ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ there is no mention of alcohol.
The stories all set in the narrators home of place of residence at the current time however the ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ is set in the wine cellars and catacombs of the narrators home.
There is a shared theme of murder and fear and denial throughout the three stories. There is a shared theme justice and revenge between ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ and ‘The Black Cat’.
The three stories all share a serious tone however ‘The Black Cat’ and ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ are very straightforward and also sinister whereas ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ is a very precise to the point account.
The three stories share a mixture of moods but they are based upon three basic emotions anger fear and paranoia.
Only one of the stories has a given motive and that is ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ the motive given is revenge, the victim a drunken wine expert it was planned and carried out very well, the murderer was not caught.
However although this was the only murder with a motive it was not the only planned murder, in fact the only spontaneous murder was in the ‘The Black Cat’ this was also the only story with a multiple killing.
The three stories have undoubtedly got several similarities but they also have several important differences. I have come to the conclusions that although the basic principles of the stories are the same the finishing touches, which make the story, are not.
