The Cask Of Amontillado, By Edgar Allan Poe

How does Edgar Allen Poe utilize mystery and macabre in his works The Tell-Tale Heart and The Cask of Amontillado to reflect on his traumatic early life
Edgar Allan Poe is known for his dark and mysterious poetry and short stories, which often explore themes of death, decay, and madness. Many of Poe's works reflect his own traumatic childhood experiences, including the early death of his parents, and his subsequent struggles with poverty and abandonment. In his writing, Poe often uses elements of mystery and the macabre to explore the psychological effects of trauma and loss. Poe also uses macabre imagery and themes to reflect on the dark side of human nature, and to explore the psychological effects of fear and terror. Using biographical analysis

Yet, the narrator did not seem completely insane whatsoever, apart from having abnormal emotions he did not behave differently when it comes to intellectuality. "the disease had sharpened my senses—not destroyed—not dulled them." Here he announces his intention to convince his audience that he is indeed perfectly sane. So, when describing how he planned and carried out the murder, his actions seemed quite logical. On the other hand, the narrator is anxious, suspicious, and even claims he lacks a valid justification for killing the old man and has no clue how the thought came to him. This suggests that Poe was writing about a partially insane character. Poe undoubtedly incorporates elements of his own mental attitude, such as the utilisation of supernatural powers and death-related ideas, into his works. It's conceivable that Poe used the mystical elements to help him escape reality. By having a profound insight of the human mind and the extraordinary capacity to write from the viewpoint of an insane man, Poe's life might be seen to be represented in this narrative. In his childhood for example, his horrendous adoptive father thought he was partially insane for his literary passion. The affluent tobacco merchant tried to persuade Poe to take over the family business. He even once said that Edgar Allen Poe was "quite miserable, sulky &

First of all, Poe’s psychology is portrayed in Fortunato, he is the victim of the story because after Montresor tricks him with a rare wine into the catacombs, he is eventually plastered behind the walls. Edgar Allen Poe uses auditory imagery as well as visual and tactile imagery to represent the helplessness, hopelessness, and isolation of the character. For example, “A succession of loud and shrill screams”, “These vaults are extensive”, “Wine sparkled in his eyes” and “the drops of moisture trickle among the bones”. These characteristics are also present when Poe was at school in Richmond but did not really fit in with his fellow students. It was hard for him to build connection. At that time his adoptive mother was a low-payed actress, as a result, she could no longer provide some money to pay for activities. This feeling of isolation does relate to Fortunato in “The Cask of Amontillado”. But also, the fact that Montresor is insane is probably not complete coincidentally. “You, who so well know the nature of my soul” “at length I would be avenged”. This indicates he is going to do something to get revenge, and most likely he is going to do something relatively crazy. Edgar Allen Poe has written this story to portray the feeling of being judged as an partially insane man. Montresor is highly intelligent and cunning, as he can devise a complex plan to murder