We only learned at the end that the story happened 50 yrs ago. Do you think it would be equally effective if Montresor had revealed that fact at...

I believe the story would not be as effective if the
reader knew at the onset that the story happened fifty years ago. When reading the
story, it appears to be happeneing now. It is quite effective in that the reader thinks
that Fortunato is receiving his punishment for the thousands of injuries he has done to
Montresor.

If the reader had known that the whole story
happened fifty years ago, it would not have had the same effect. It would not have been
as intriguing and mysterious. Knowing that the story happened fifty years ago loses the
effect of the present injury.

Fifty years is a long time.
To think that the story happened fifty years ago loses the effect of justice that seems
to be occuring in the very present tense.

There is an
intensity that occurs because the story seems to happening in the present tense. I am
glad Poe saved that information for the last. Even reading it at the end, it changes the
intensity of the story.

Who cares what happened fifty years
ago? There is a definite change in the overall mood knowing that it happened fifty years
ago. Who can remember yesterday? Fifty years ago is a bit of a
stretch?

I would dare say that the immense struggle that is
occurring in the story is effective because the reader is thinking it is happening in
the present tense. Afterall, that is what makes a classic a classic. Its enduring
presence has stood the test of time:

readability="14">

A classic, through its enduring presence, has
withstood the test of time and is not bound by time, place, or customs. It speaks to us
today as forcefully as it spoke to people one hundred or more years ago, and as
forcefully as it will speak to people of future generations. For this reason, a classic
is said to have
universality.

Thinking that
the story happened fifty years ago does change the intensity of Montresor's
purpose.

When the reader is unsuspecting of Montresor's
plan, there is an element of surprise as the reader discovers what Montresor is planning
to do to Fortunato. The element of suspense keeps the reader
interested:

readability="8">

Fortunato does not suspect Montresor's plan. In
fact, when they meet in the street during carnival, Fortunato is very glad to see
him.

The element of surprise
is what intrigues the reader. Knowing that the story has happened fifty years ago is a
definite let
down.