Examples Of Psychology In The Cask Of Amontillado

The human mind is one of the most complex structures created. It is difficult to understand each brain process as every human being possesses their own distinguished thought patterns with different levels of complexities. A person’s mind greatly influences their behavior, which eventually transforms into a habit by becoming embedded into their character. Today, the world of psychology has such an understanding of the human brain. However, even before the field of Psychology was brought into practice, some writers shined a spotlight on the mechanism of the human brain in their works. Edgar Allen Poe makes the top of the list as an American writer, who is very aware of the complexities of the human brain and its effects on human behavior. An example of how well he understands the mind is clearly marked in his short story,“The Cask of Amontillado." In this piece, Edgar Allan Poe presents protagonists who are the victims of complex mind issues such as guilt,

During a couple of times in the story, Poe shows how a person can gain something from someone without even asking for it. The perfect example of reverse psychology in “The Cask of Amontillado” is when Montresor asks Fortunato to taste Amontillado, but at the same time says, “…I will not impose upon your good nature. I perceive you have an engagement…” (Poe 167). Similarly, when Fortunato coughs because of the nitre walls, Montresor uses reverse psychology and says, “Come,… we will go back; your health is precious… We will go back; you will be ill and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchresi -” (Poe 168). Montresor is aware of the fact that Fortunato thinks he is the best when it comes to alcohol as Poe states, “He prided himself upon his connoisseurship in wine,” still he uses another person’s name to urge him to keep moving. Poe was well aware of this psychological characteristic of the human