Setting in “The Cast of Amontillado”

        “The cast of Amontillado” is one of the successful horrible short stories by Adgar Ellen Poe who is good at adding many fearful elements to background of the story. In this story, he uses underground and sounds to build a horrible atmosphere.

        First, there is a lively carnival in an unknown city where Montresor and Furtunato are living. The atmosphere in the whole festival is joyful, and contrasting with Montresors’ malice. Furtunato is just like a clown whose fate is controlled by other people. Then, they go down to the gloomy underground room where the mood is full of oppression. Although there are two little torches, they still can’t light up the unfortunate life of Furtunato. Moreover, the shady underground room is vault that represents death of Furtunato. The fillister of the wall also symbolizes his coffin. Ultimately, Poe adds some fearsome sounds. Such as the terrible cough, the weird clanking, the moan and laugh frightening, and the suddenly silent at the end of the story, all agglomerate the fearsome circumstance.

        Poe’s setting successfully constructs the tension and oppression that a horrible story should have. Transcending from the upper to under situation along with diverse sounds, we can deeply experience what this short story gives us.