As a literary device, imagery is: "descriptive language that can function as a way for the reader to better imagine the world of the piece of literature and also add symbolism to the work. Imagery draws on the five senses, namely the details of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound. Using imagery helps the reader develop a more fully realized understanding of the imaginary world that the author has created." (literarydevices.com)
Essentially this means that the author is describing a scene very well, and the reader can visualize it. Edgar Allan Poe does this in two ways in "The Cask of Amontillado." First, he has the narrator himself describe visuals. For instance, the description of Fortunado:
"The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells."
Or the descriptions of the dungeons:
"I took from their sconces two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato, bowed him through several suites of rooms to the archway that led into the vaults. I passed down a long and winding staircase, requesting him to be cautious as he followed. We came at length to the foot of the descent, and stood together upon the damp ground of the catacombs of the Montresors."
The second way Poe uses imagery is when he has the characters themselves describe things. For instance, the narrator Montresor tells his enemy how cold and damp the vaults will be, saying: "'The vaults are insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre.'"
Later, Montresor continues to describe to Fortunado how the catacombs are infested with damp and mold:
"'It is farther on,' said I; 'but observe the white web-work which gleams from these cavern walls.'"
These are examples of imagery in "The Cask of Amontillado" through both the narrator and the characters' dialogue.
No comments:
Post a Comment