Edgar Allan Poe in a Term Paper

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The narrator of "Amontillado" uses wine to lure Fortunato into the recesses of the city, where the latter meets his slow and agonizing end. As such, both narrators clearly state their tormentor's favorite things, which would be used towards their demise: "In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere."

In "Hop Frog," the narrator opens his story with "I never knew anyone so keenly alive to a joke as the king was." Both references to the favorite skills practiced by the culprits occur close to the beginning of the story, foreshadowing the climax later. Both narrators also provide the climax to their stories close to the end.

The fictional style in which each story is told differs significantly. It is mentioned above that the narrator in "Hop Frog" uses a light, conversational tone for his story. He is not by any means emotionally or otherwise involved in the events. It is his duty to inform the reader of the events as he observes them unfolding. Even when he describes the tyranny of the king and the brutality of his death, the narrator never allows his own emotions or opinions onto the story platform. As such, he acts as a mediator between the reader and the story.

Amontillado's" narrator has no such consideration for the sensibilities of the reader. His emotion, along with his story, is focused on one thing: revenge. After the cold and calculated introduction to the story, the narrator leads his friend into the catacombs.

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The journey is arduous and long, exhausting not only Fortunato, but to some extent the reader as well.

Fortunato is blissfully unaware of the doom waiting for him at the end of the tunnel. The reader is, but is assaulted by having to wait for the long journey to end before being able to see the end. Montresor is furthermore very focused on his own injury and anger. He uses these to follow through the revenge, even when he doubts the wisdom of his actions near the end.

The climax provided by the "Hop Frog" narrator is more striking than that of "Amontillado." The reason for this may lie in the style of the stories. The tone of the narrator, as well as the way in which he relates events before the climax, forms a sharp contrast with the horror of the burning. The narrator's unchanging conversational tone provides the same contrast. Because "Amontillado" has more focus, the reader also focuses upon the end. Having been prepared for brutality since the start of the story, the reader expects it, and is therefore not as deeply struck by the climax.

Both stories discussed above are beautiful and horrifying in their simplicity. While the respective punishments may seem somewhat extreme, I believe that Poe used these well towards shock and entertainment value for the reader. The narrators make the stories accessible for readers, and enhance their enjoyment. Each narrator is perfectly suited to his story of brooding hatred and revenge......

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