Symbolism in The Cask of Amontillado The Cask of amontillado uses symbolism in many different ways throughout the story. The title of the story refers to a cask of amontillado (a barrel of wine) which just so happens to be the pursuit of the characters over the course of the story. The names of the two main characters (Fortunato and Montresor) reveal a lot about their personalities. Finally the trowel that Montresor reveals to Fortunato shines light onto the ending of the story. In the Cask of Amontillado there are several uses of symbolism that signify points later in the story, for example the title of the story, the various names of characters and objects in the story, and the trowel that Montresor reveals to Fortunato. First, we have the title of this story “The Cask of Amontillado” the title gives …show more content…
This trowel is revealed during a conversation between them about the free masons. Fortunato claims he is a member of the free masons and is baffled when Montresor tells him is also a member he insults Montresor by saying “You? Impossible!”. Fortunato asks him to produce a sign that he is free mason. Montresor pulls out a trowel which is a tool used by masons to lay bricks. This trowel that Montresor pulls out is not a symbol of the free masons. Montresor’s trowel symbolizes the ending of the story when he uses it to build a wall of bricks to burry Fortunato. Edger Allen Poe uses this trowel to give us a hint at the ending to the story. As we can see in The Cask of Amontillado there are several uses of symbolism to convey to the audience the ending of the story. We see from the title of the story how it is Montresor tricks Fortunato into the catacombs. From the names of Fortunato (wealth) and Montresor (monster) we see glimpses of their actions and their lifestyles. Lastly from the trowel Montresor produces during the story we get to see the means by which he intends to get revenge