First & Last Name
Professor Martin
American Lit. 1
24 October 2005 This essay is short
A Mind Lost
	Numerous theories have been proposed throughout the years to explain the cause of Edgar Allan Poe’s death. One of these is that he suffered from several forms of rare brain disease. If this cause had ever been proven true, it could have been interpreted that the minds of his characters were slightly reflective of his own. Several similarities and differences can be seen throughout Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Cask of Amontillado.” Some of these include the atmosphere Poe creates, his style of writing, and theme. These three components together strongly influence his desired reaction from his readers.
	The setting of “The Fall of the House of Usher” plays an essential part in the story because it establishes the atmosphere. The narrator approaches and with the first sight of the House of Usher “a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded [his] spirit” (Poe 1508). The narrator continues to describe the exterior of the building then proves the interior to be equally dreary, with “ebon blackness of the floors” and “dark draperies” hung upon the walls (Poe 1511). The presence of “long, narrow, and pointed” windows and “trellised panes” are common characteristics of Gothic buildings, a style often used in Poe’s writings. The term the “House of Usher” not only refers to the dilapidating mansion but also the remaining family members who dwell within. In comparison, the beginning of “The Cask of Amontillado” is located at a festival where frivolous activities are held. However, the setting quickly changes to the “damp grounds of the catacombs” under Montresor’s palazzo where the two characters of the story pass through “long walls of piled skeletons” (Poe 1569). Poe establishes the sinister atmosphere of the story while his imagery in the “Fall of the House of Usher” results in his reader’s awareness of a sense of decay and death. Ultimately, the atmosphere of “The Cask of Amontillado” is dark and mysterious much like that of “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
	Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” is a case of conscious murder. The reader becomes quickly aware that Montresor felt insulted, and “vowed revenge” (Poe 1567). Every detail contributes to a certain effect. The first detail is that the character’s name is Fortunato which is interesting since he is not so fortunate. In addition, Poe dresses his character Fortunato in “motley,” a fool’s costume, since Montresor intends to make a fool of him as a part of his malicious plan. Dramatic irony is also present in this story when the reader becomes clearly aware of what will become of Fortunato. Verbal irony is also revealed within Montresor’s words. Montresor expresses concern for Fortunato’s health and proposes turning back, but Fortunato urges to keep on and insists “he will not die of a cough” as Montresor replies “true-true” (Poe 1569). In contrast, “The Fall of the House of Usher” uses the unity of tone. From the opening description of the exterior and interior of the house to the “commingled noises of the still increasing storm” that accompanies Madeline’s return from the tomb, all help convey the terror that eventually destroys the frail mind of Roderick Usher (Poe 1519). This technique would have been ineffectual if it did not illustrate a principle of human nature.
	The human nature of the characters exposes the themes of the two stories. In “The Fall of the House of Usher” the theme is dissipation and death. The “fissure” represents the fracture in his personality while the house symbolizes the embodiment of Roderick Usher (Poe 1521). Roderick represents the mind while the senses are represented by Madeline. During the story the mind tries to detach itself from its more physically oriented twin. This is apparent in Roderick’s repugnance to his own senses and the “body having been unconfined” prematurely (Poe 1517). After the entombment of Madeline, Roderick Usher’s condition deteriorates more quickly than ever. At the end of the story, Madeline returns from her interment to take the eccentric Roderick so that the two are reunited in death. This proves that the mind cannot live without the senses. In dissimilarity, although “The Cask of Amontillado” discusses death the main theme of the story is revenge. Montresor vows revenge on Fortunato for an insult. It is important for Montresor to have his victim know what is happening to him. Montresor gains pleasure from the fact that as “the intoxication of Fortunato had in great measure worn off” he becomes terrorized and realizes that his craving for wine will lead him to his death (Poe 1571).
	The comparison of these two interesting stories helps one to understand the components that build these stories to their great height. Edgar Allan Poe successfully establishes the proper atmosphere, style, and theme to convey his thoughts and desired effect for his readers.