"The Cask of Amontillado" shows many themes characteristic
of Edgar Allan Poe's writing. For example, Poe's dark sense of humor is shown by
Montresor's response to Fortunato's question about the Masons; instead of showing a
secret sign proving his membership in the fraternity, Montresor shows a trowel, playing
on the meaning of "mason" as "bricklayer."
The story also
shows Poe's longstanding fear of premature burial, which appears in some of his other
works. Montresor claims justification in his actions, but the sheer horror of walling
Fortunato up alive in a wine-cellar shows through, even though he delights in the
action. In this manner, Poe demonizes Montresor as someone who would commit this
ultimate atrocity even while showing the story from Montresor's own point of
view.
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