Poe explained his style as arabesque, one of horror and torment. Irony and wit are part of the grotesque playfulness of this arabesque and the pattern has balance and integration of these elements as psychological tension and horror parallel the action and dialogue.
Much like the winding catacombs that narrow and darken, the workings of the narrator are twisted and darkly sinister. In fact,the narrative is controlled by this vengeful narrator whose obsession with revenge finds grotesque humor in ironic jesting with Fortunato about his being a mason--not the secret society member, but a bricklayer who is about to entomb his victim. With a perversely feigned concern for his victim's health, the narrator urges Fortunato to turn back: "...it is very damp. Once more let me implore you to return." Then, the narrator adds to the horror:
No? Then I must positively leave you. But I must first render you all the litttle attentions in my power.
This torment of Fortunato increases as Montesor lays down the tiers of bricks which soon entomb the connosieur. Still Montesor calls to his enemy, then walling him in further, increasing the psychological tension. Finally, the narrative has completed its windings and Fortunato begs his tormentor: "For the love of God, Montresor." With grotesque irony and the final arabesque, ornamentation of horror, Montesor responds, "Yes,...for the love of God" and hastens to "an end of my labor."
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