Similarities Between 'Killings And The Cask Of Amontillado'

Is killing a man ethical? Two tales of vengeance, one driven by love and grief, the other by pride and treachery; Dubus' “Killings” and Poe's “The Cask of Amontillado” captivate terrifying killings and questionable ethical decisions. The main characters in “Killings” are Matt Fowler and Richard Strout. Richard Strout kills Matt’s son, Frank, who was in a relationship with Strout’s soon-to-be ex-wife. Matt decides to seek retribution by orchestrating and carrying out Strout's murder. Matt's killing in Dubus' novel is motivated by a desire to exact revenge for his son's death and make the person responsible for his loss accountable. In "The Cask of Amontillado," Montresor and Fortunato are the primary protagonists. Montresor lures Fortunato into

This comment implies Matt is emotionally removed from the violent deed he committed. While he can describe the sequence of events, he is disassociated from the actual violence. It could signal that Matt is having to come to grips with his actions, possibly dealing with remorse or numbness. The fact that he only sees himself on the road implies a separation of his activities and his sense of self. Dubus analyzes the intricate interplay of feelings and motivations that lead people to carry out violent crimes through his depiction. Throughout the narrative, Matt's anguish and desire for justice, as well as Richard's jealousy and possessiveness, are shown to be strong forces that influence their choices and behaviors. Through exploring these persons' inner lives, Dubus provides an understanding of the human mind and the reasons for violent behaviors and motives. Like Dubus, Poe shows how different motives influence the killers' actions by using foreshadowing in addition to characterization. Poe writes, “You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat”