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The Cask Of Amontillado Literary Analysis

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Developed by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalytic criticism is used in literature to reveal the motives, motifs, and themes in a work of literature. This analysis focuses on the inner workings of the human mind. The short story, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, depicts Freud’s conclusion of psychoanalytic criticism. The sole motive for the killing of Fortunato is due to Montresor’s projection of his own failures. To Montresor, Fortunato represents his own downfalls and the way his life used to be––fortunate. Montresor’s motive for killing Fortunato began as an id; an unconscious instinct. It is only natural for a man to be jealous of something he once had. In this case, Montresor is jealous of the life Fortunato lives because this is the lifestyle his family is used to. Not only is it natural to be jealous, but it is also instinctive to feel the pressure of the burdens in a person’s life. Montresor feels as if he is being buried alive by the stress of his misfortunes. Because Montresor feels buried alive, he feels he needs kill Fortunato the same way. This jealousy is proven in the third paragraph of the short story, “In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack but in the matter of old …show more content…
Which, is fat Tuesday, the day before lent. The text reveals Montresor and his family are religious people. The family crest is “A huge human foot d’or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel” (pg 220). This line comes from the bible, Genesis 3:15 when God kicks Adam and Eve out of his garden. Both the family crest and the carnival prove Montresor is a religious man. Due to the fact this event takes place the day before lent, Montresor believes he has all of lent to repent his sins. Montresor believes God will forgive all of his sins and wipe them clean again. For this reason, he feels little to no remorse for killing

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