The definition of Gothic Literature according to study.com goes as follows, "The term Gothic fiction refers to a style of writing that is characterized by elements of fear, horror, death, and gloom, as well as romantic elements, such as nature, individuality, and very high emotion. These emotions can include fear and suspense." Based on this, I have analysed some of Edgar Allan Poe's works for evidence based on this definition.
The Cask of Amontillado,
In this short story, there are all of the following:
Fear
Horror
Death
Gloom
Romance
The whole concept of the story induces fear and horror in the minds of the reader, for example, the fear of being buried alive scares most of us, it places the fear inside people hoping they never meet the same fate as Fortunado, In accordance to that statement, death is usually implied when someone is buried alive. Gloom, the story takes place initially in a sort of fair or festival, then close by is Montressor's mansion, and as it is depicted in the book, it seems to be a gloomy manor just outside of all the celebrations currently going on, even when Montressor is guiding Fortunado through his wine cellar which is actually a catacomb, with moisture crawling on the floor and the fact they need a lantern torch to see anything also falls under gloomy. Now, the Romantic element or intense emotion, Montressor's desire to kill Fortunado, he seems to have an intense passion of killing him, that is all he talks about, also, planning this elaborate plan to do the deed, shows he as been thinking about this moment for a very long time. This is how this short story falls under gothic literature.
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