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Cask of Amontillado 166
Choose two stories from the syllabus. Write a 2-3 page paper (at least 2 full pages, double-spaced, 1 inch margins) comparing and contrasting the stories' explorations of ONE them among the following.
Marriage
Friendship
The Triumph of Good
The Triumph of Evil
Family Ties
Mental Illness
Surviving Loss
Encountering the Bizarre
Despite these differences, both stories share a common thread: the chilling normalcy of evil. Poe's Montresor is not a monstrous figure; he is a seemingly respectable member of society, capable of concealing his malevolent intentions behind a facade of civility. Jackson's villagers are not inherently evil; they are ordinary people who have been conditioned to accept a brutal tradition. This normalcy makes the evil in both stories all the more disturbing, highlighting the potential for cruelty to exist within seemingly ordinary individuals and communities.
Both stories also explore the theme of deception. Montresor deceives Fortunato with promises of rare wine, luring him into the catacombs. The villagers in "The Lottery" deceive themselves, believing that the lottery is a necessary tradition, even as they participate in an act of brutal violence. This self-deception allows them to rationalize their actions and maintain a sense of normalcy.
In conclusion, "The Cask of Amontillado" and "The Lottery" both offer chilling explorations of the triumph of evil, albeit through different lenses. Poe's story focuses on individual malice and calculated vengeance, while Jackson's delves into the dangers of blind conformity and societal cruelty. Both stories serve as stark reminders of the potential for evil to exist within seemingly ordinary individuals and communities, and the importance of questioning societal norms and individual motivations. By contrasting these two narratives, we gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of evil and its enduring power to corrupt and destroy.
Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" and Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" both delve into the unsettling depths of human nature, exploring the chilling triumph of evil within seemingly ordinary settings. While their methods differ, both stories ultimately depict the insidious power of societal norms and individual malevolence to perpetuate acts of cruelty. In comparing and contrasting these narratives, we can unravel the nuanced ways in which evil manifests and the disturbing ease with which it can be embraced.
Poe's tale is a study in calculated, personal vengeance. Montresor, the narrator, meticulously plans and executes his revenge against Fortunato, whom he claims has insulted him. The story unfolds in the shadowy depths of the Italian catacombs, a setting that mirrors the moral darkness of Montresor's heart. He lures Fortunato with the promise of rare Amontillado wine, exploiting his pride and vanity. The triumph of evil in "The Cask of Amontillado" is a singular act of premeditated malice, driven by personal animosity. Montresor's cold, detached narration reveals a man devoid of remorse, reveling in the successful execution of his plan. The evil in this story is intimate, a calculated act of personal destruction.
In contrast, Jackson's "The Lottery" presents a more systemic and communal form of evil. The story depicts a seemingly idyllic village that participates in an annual ritual of stoning a randomly selected member of their community. The evil here is not driven by individual malice, but by blind adherence to tradition. The villagers, though seemingly ordinary and even kind, participate in the ritual without question, their actions driven by a collective acceptance of the lottery's necessity. The triumph of evil in "The Lottery" is a chilling testament to the power of societal norms to override individual conscience. The villagers' willingness to participate in such a brutal act highlights the dangers of unquestioning conformity and the ease with which individuals can become complicit in acts of cruelty. The evil is diffused throughout the whole community.
The contrast between the two stories extends to the nature of the victims. Fortunato, in Poe's story, is a victim of personal vendetta. He is targeted specifically by Montresor, his fate sealed by a personal insult. Tessie Hutchinson, in "The Lottery," is a victim of chance and tradition. Her selection is arbitrary, a consequence of the lottery's random nature. While Fortunato's demise is a result of one man's malice, Tessie's is a product of a community's collective acceptance of a cruel ritual.