The Cask of Amontillado Group

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tynyla
tynyla

Who is the narrator talking to at the end of the story in "The Cask of Amontilado"?

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Posted by tynyla on Wednesday September 24, 2008 at 11:32 AM and tagged with characters, narrator, point of view, the cask of amontillado, writing technique.

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  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    There a several choices for who the narrator is talking to when he says, "Rest in Peace". Obviously, he is referring to Fortunato and may still be talking to him. But in the paragraph before his reference to 'rest in piece", Montresor makes a point to say "For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.' [ the stones covering the body of Fortunato]. This could be some kind of death bed confession or part of a manuscript to be read after Montresor's death. However, the it is simpler to say he is talking directly to the reader. He addresses the reader directly at the beginning of the story with the line, "You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave
    utterance to a threat." Thus Montresor,is addressing the reader who might be thinking of reporting Montresor's crime by indicating how long it has been since his burial of Fortunato,

    Sources:
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    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Wednesday September 24, 2008 at 1:04 PM