The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe
The Cask of Amontillado By: Edgar Allen Poe In the story "The Cask of Amontillado" the reader can find a multiple instances of irony throughout the story. The irony comes across in both actions and words and is a major part of this story. Irony is the controlling factor that moves the story along. To begin with, the setting reveals some irony as it changes from a cheerful carnival scene to a dark threatening cavern. The name of one of the main characters is Fortunato. A Strange name for someone, but we soon see this is both ironic and an oxymoron. The reader sees there is nothing fortunate about the character Fortunato. "THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge. " This opening sentence foreshadows that the narrator will do something to Fortunato but the reader doesn't yet know. It also re-enforces the irony of Fortunato's name. More Irony can be found when the narrator Montresor greets Fortunato as a friend but is preparing his vengeance as seen in the line "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" Irony is also found in Fortunato's clothing. The two characters share a common taste for fine wines and that is the bait that Montresor uses to reel his victim in. Amontillado seems impossible for anyone to have
Is Dracula a text that criticises or supports religious ideas?
Is Dracula a text that criticises or supports religious ideas? Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula" can simply be described as a battle between Good and Evil. Religion is used as a separation point, for the main characters of the story, to allow the reader to determine good from evil. The theme is clearly evident throughout the novel, as faith is used as protection from Dracula's evil. However, the novel does not entirely support religious beliefs, as Dracula's character, as the "Anti-Christ" seems to mock the values of Christianity. Anti-Christianity is a continuously reoccurring theme throughout Bram Stoker's Dracula. The novel portrays Anti-Christian values and beliefs, through its central character, which represents evil. Dracula, one of the main characters in the novel is used to take on the characteristics of the Anti-Christ. Stoker uses many beliefs from the Christian religion to display numerous amounts of Anti-Christian values, superstitious beliefs of the protection towards evil, and to compare and contrast the powers of God with those of Dracula. There are many ways that Bram Stoker's character Dracula can be considered the Anti-Christ, mostly because of the showing of Anti-Christian values and abuses of the Christian religion. The first example of this is in chapter one as Jonathan Harker is travelling to Castle Dracula, as he is given a crucifix from a
In her novel The Professor, author Charlotte Bronte details and develops the life and experiences of narrator and main character William Crimsworth.
Elsbeth Loughrey Writing 125 February 19, 2002 In her novel The Professor, author Charlotte Bronte details and develops the life and experiences of narrator and main character William Crimsworth. After graduating from Eton College in England, Crimsworth is in need of an occupation. He stubbornly refuses offers from his uncles, and consequently finds himself with no other choice than to work for his tyrannical brother in the menial position of clerk. However, his conditions soon become unbearable, and through an acquaintance's recommendation, William secures himself employment as a professor at a boys' school in Brussels. William's arrival in Belgium presents him with new opportunities both professionally and personally, as he almost immediately meets two women who are to change his existence dramatically: Zoraide Reuter and Frances Henri. Bronte creates and emphasizes many differences and similarities between these two women using various techniques and methods, which primarily include comparison and contrast. Zoraide and Frances each have their own significant and individual role in the life of and interaction with William Crimsworth. Each woman possesses different kinds of physical and mental attributes, comes from a unique background, and enters into and affects his life in a contrasting way. These differences, along with a few similarities, are explored
Male Heterosexual Desire as a Product of Power Differentials in M. Butterfly
Male Heterosexual Desire as a Product of Power Differentials in M. Butterfly What is the definition of the perfect woman, the symbol of male heterosexual desire? Is it a woman who has a picture perfect body, with a beautiful face, nice legs, and the rest of the body to match? Or is it something more, something other than just physical appearance? In Hwang's M. Butterfly, Gallimard seems to be attracted to a number of different characteristics in women, but he keeps going back to one woman in particular. Gallimard has his wife, Helga. The play hints that Helga is unattractive and not someone that a man would find desirable. Then Gallimard has his first affair with Song, a submissive Oriental woman, or so he thinks, who is attractive and modest. And lastly there's Renee, who is completely beautiful, the woman of every man's dreams. In M. Butterfly, the male heterosexual desire is a product of power differentials, where Gallimard is most attracted to the woman that has the least power, giving him even more. Helga is introduced in act one, scene five, where Gallimard himself hints that Helga is unattractive, or at least, not beautiful. This impression is given when he says, "the sad truth is that all men want a beautiful woman, and the uglier the man, the greater the want" (Hwang 14). Then later in the play, after Gallimard has met Song, his old friend from school,
The novel itself is written in a frame or embedded narrative style, with the letters between Walton and his sister as the outer frame. Frankenstein's account of events.
The novel itself is written in a frame or embedded narrative style, with the letters between Walton and his sister as the outer frame. Frankenstein's account of events, as he tells the story to Walton who records the story, is an embedded frame within this and then the monster's tale as the final embedded frame at the heart of the frame structure. This has the effect of creating a multi-layered perspective and enables the reader to hear the story from the point of view of both Frankenstein and the monster, while making them aware that the accuracy of each account is questionable and bound to be biased. For example Walton clearly respects and almost idolizes Victor and is likely to embellish the facts to flatter Victor, while at the same time Victor is bound to tell the tale in a way that compliments him. Chapter five is written as an embedded narrative from Victor Frankenstein's point of view as he tells the tale to Walton. From the beginning the imagery of the setting is very gothic in that "It was a dreary night of November..." and the "...candle was nearly burnt out, when by the glimmer of the extinguished light..." Frankenstein "...saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open...". The words such as dreary and dull and the emphasis on darkness with the nearly burnt out candle, create a classic gothic setting. These images along with phrases such as "With an anxiety
The Image of the book in Jane Eyre is associated with power and possession. John Reed asserts his authority and property rights over Jane and rather surprisingly the objects he focuses on are his books:
Pursue a single image (for example hands, water, books) or a single topic (for example, religion, illness, travel) in one of the set texts, constructing a case about the text on the basis of what you know. Books in Jane Eyre. The Image of the book in Jane Eyre is associated with power and possession. John Reed asserts his authority and property rights over Jane and rather surprisingly the objects he focuses on are his books: You have no business to take our books: you are a dependant, mama says; you have no money; your father left you none: Now I'll teach you to rummage my bookshelves: for they are mine; all the house belongs to me, or will do in a few years time.1 John Reed has just forced Jane away from her only means of escape: reading. It is an interesting idea: possession of the word equates with possession of power. Jane resists such an arbitrary display of power and does so time and time again by being associated with the presence of books and as such, possession and control of language. We first see this when Jane steals a few moments to become absorbed in the written word: With Bewick on my knee I was happy: happy at least in my way. I feared nothing but interruption, and that came too soon. (p.9) But the Reeds deny Jane access to books and even attack her with them (p.11). The reader is aware that Jane has much to fear but lost in her fantasy world, she
Compare and contrast the representation of femininity in Pygmalion and Wide Sargasso Sea
Compare and contrast the representation of femininity in Pygmalion and Wide Sargasso Sea This paper will attempt to compare and contrast the representations of femininity in the novel Wide Sargasso Sea (WSS) and the play Pygmalion. It will investigate any ways in which the works reflect or challenge commonly held social representations of femininity, and will compare and contrast each representation of femininity and then investigate any themes. It will also consider the counterpoint of masculine representation, and lastly the limitations of a comparison between two texts of different disciplines. These two titles were products of very different cultures; Pygmalion was written in 1912 by the thoroughly British Bernard Shaw, a self-proclaimed feminist, while WSS was written in 1966 by Jean Rhys, a Caribbean Creole (like her main characters) who immigrated to England in her teens. These texts were not intended to be textbooks, or represent any views other than the authors, but by comparing these texts we may find how the ideas of femininity have changed in the intervening years. Shaw's feminism might be expected to have influenced his portrayal of the female characters in his work, so the reader should be aware of a possible feminist subtext. WSS is set in the Caribbean of the 1830's, and was written for a primarily English audience. The author might therefore be expected to
Edgar Allen Poe's, "The Cask of Amontillado," is a feud between two enemies. It humorously portrays the foil of Fortunato, as he is led through the catacombs. Poe's humour is dark, sarcastic and very ironic, which
THE CAST OF AMONTILLADO BY JOHN SHAND Edgar Allen Poe's, "The Cask of Amontillado," is a feud between two enemies. It humorously portrays the foil of Fortunato, as he is led through the catacombs. Poe's humour is dark, sarcastic and very ironic, which quickly becomes a signpost of the tale. Poe sets himself apart from other authors in his works, based on how he depicts and encounters death. It accentuates the concept that at times, your worst enemy will appear as your best friend. Pride is the downfall of every man and the same can be said for the story of Fortunato. "The Cask of Amontillado" starts out with Montresor, the narrator, saying, "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge." Simply by reading the first sentence of the story, it is easy to see that Montresor is vengeful and plans to get "revenge" on Fortunato and there is a lot more to come in the story. This creates suspense from the outset Montresor also has a coat of arms which is, "A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel," with a motto of, "Nemo me impune lacessit," which stands for no one attacks me with impunity. The coat of arms and the family motto both suggest retribution. The arms symbolize Montresor and Fortunato, Fortunato stepping on Montresor, the snake,
How does Charlotte Bronte build up tension? Using chapter 23 to illustrate.
How does Charlotte Bronte build up tension? Using chapter 23 to illustrate. Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane Eyre in 1847. Throughout this novel Bronte criticises and challenges some views and believes that she experienced herself within the injustice of the Victorian society. In this essay I am going to use chapter 23 to show how tension is built up in terms of language, feelings and symbols. Firstly, I'm going to include a brief summery of the plot and at the same time highlight the main characters I'll be working with. Secondly, I will include the history of the time the book was written in and comment on how it links with the story. Finally, I am going to point out and explain the many different techniques Bronte uses to build up tension. Jane Eyre opens with the narrator, the adult Jane Eyre recalling her childhood experiences growing up as an orphan at Gateshead, the home of her unfriendly aunt, and her children. Jane is always wrongly punished, she was even sent away to Lowwood charity school where pupils are treated appallingly. There she passes six years as a student, then two as a teacher. After that Jane becomes a governess at Thornfield, owned by Mr. Rochester. Jane falls in love with her master and Rochester asks Jane to marry him, she agreed. On the day of their marriage Jane discovers that Rochester is already married, she then refuses to be Rochester's mistress
The short story of the "Odour of Chrysanthemums" by D. H. Lawrence is an examination of relationships within a family.
Diane M. Hess College Composition II Instructor: Dr Hazel Cooper-Watts The short story of the "Odour of Chrysanthemums" by D. H. Lawrence is an examination of relationships within a family. The story is set in an English coal-mining town of Brinsley Colliery. The small town is a dark, dreary and depressing place. The season is autumn a time for hibernation and death. In the short story of the "Odour of Chrysanthemums", D. H. Lawrence shows the complexity of relationships between men and women, as well as, the other members within the family unit. Elizabeth, John, Annie, Grandma Bates, and Walt are the five main characters, we will be examining within this short story. The story begins with Elizabeth Bates, who is a coal miner's wife and is waiting anxiously and a little fearfully for her husband, Walt, to come home for the night after a long day working down in the coalmines. Working down in the coalmines is a dangerous place and close relationships between the people, who work the coalmines, are formed. Walt would often go to the local pub, the "Prince of Wales", for a drink with his co-workers and is often brought home in a drunken stupor by them. This angers and embarrasses Elizabeth and she believes that on this night, not only has he gone to the pub, but also he has had the nerve to actually walk by his own house to get there. Now we get a glimpse into the