Tuesday, June 2, 2015

I want to know what the story says about the theme of disguise with regard to the relationship between truth and disguiseThe fact that Montresor...

Actually, nowhere in the story is there anything explicitly stated about disguise, except of course reference to Fortunato's costume. Perhaps the narrator wears one, too. Some old engravings depict the story that way. We could presume this since the story takes place during the Carnival season in Italy.

On the other hand, the narrator has much to say about disguising his intentions. The reader knows from the very start that Montresor is going to tell a tale of revenge. He talks about how he "baited" Fortunato to come inside his family vaults, which served the double purpose of cellar and tomb. He is proud of his skill at deceit, and there is no hint of remorse when he reveals how he went about his crime.

About the character roles - there an analogy between Montresor and Fortunato; Montresor is the king's "jester," so to speak, and Fortunato is the king's "fool." Montresor "plays" with his victim before killing him and Fortunato, in his naïve stupor, is the idiot who doesn't pick up on what is going on....

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