Maya Porche

English 9H/ Period 7

In the short story, The Cask of Amontillado, Poe uses foreshadowing to build suspense by
giving insights on Montresors feelings and plans towards Fortunato. For example, when the narrator,
Montresor is speaking about his plans for Fortunato in the beginning of the story he states, He did not
perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation (Applebee et.al, 209). This
foreshadows that Fortunatos death will not be merciful. This shows Montresors deep hatred for
Fortunato. Knowing that Fortunatos death will not be merciful builds suspense because it lets the reader
know that Fortunato is going to die, but doesnt include how or when. Montresors plans to kill Fortunato
definitely build suspense for Fortunatos death in this short story.
Poe also builds suspense through foreshadowing by using irony in the hints of how Fortunato will die.
An example in the story is when Montresor is leading Fortunato through the catacombs and Fortunato
coughs and says, The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough (Applebee
et.al, 211). This quote foreshadows that Fortunato will indeed die from suffocation while coughing. This
also adds a little humor in the story. Knowing that Fortunato will die by coughing builds suspense
because Fortunato is coughing while Montresor leads him through the catacombs and raises the question
of how Montresor will kill Fortunato. This also leads to the idea or possibility that Montresor poisoned
the wine he gave to Fortunato. When Fortunato uses irony when he states that he wont die by a cough, he
builds the suspense of how he will be killed.