Talk:The Cask of Amontillado

On the main Wikipedia Talk page of this story appears the following remarks:

Buried alive? No, that was not Montresor's plan.

"The Torch"...

In the Wiki summary, The main point of Montresor's plan of revenge seems to have been missed. Early in the story, you will read about Montresor looking forward to Fortunato's "immolation" (fiery death). Then later during the trek through the crypt, in search of the non-existent cask, you will see reference to "nitre" formed on the walls. As the story reaches it's climax at the end, there is an abundance of "nitre" in the niche where Montresor walls in Fortunato.

Nitre is an archaic word for a volatile substance used in the making of black powder, also known as saltpeter. It is a naturally occurring nitrate. It is very flammable. It forms in damp places where decay is present. A white crystalline substance often found in manure piles in minute quantities.

In the final moments, Montresor thrusts the lit torch through the hole just before he fills it in with the last brick. The torch ignites the saltpeter (nitre) covering the walls and floor of the niche. Fortunato dies in a superheated fire in a confined space.

When this happens, the lungs are completely cooked at the instant the superheated gasses are inhaled involuntarily, rendering the victim unable to even scream in agony in their final moments. When considered, this adds an even more grisly and horrific aspect to an already macabre tale. And hence, his utter and complete "immolation" for having offended Montresor..... --Nitrejack 00:39, 4 January 2016 (UTC)Nitrejack (talk)

You did a lot of work here yourself. Please see WP:OR. --Midnightdreary (talk) 00:53, 5 January 2016 (UTC)

I wouldn't call it work. However subtle, these two things, the "immolation" and the "nitre" were plainly written in Poe's story..

http://poestories.com/read/amontillado << If you read the story here, you will see the things I have mentioned clearly highlighted to call attention to them for the reader.

Yes, I've read the story myself. Probably over 100 times. But see Wikipedia's policy on original research, reliable sources, etc. This story is not explicitly the way you describe it. --Midnightdreary (talk) 19:03, 6 January 2016 (UTC)

It is what it is. No opinion can change the natural laws of science and physics. When flame is applied to raw saltpeter, a very hot very instantaneous combustion occurs. When said combustion occurs in a confined space, the heat and pressure are amplified exponentially. Simple physics. the very same laws of physics that gave us the internal combustion engine. It is not my work or my opinion. These facts are public knowledge available to anyone. It has been said. It matters not if it is accepted. I was not the first to see this, I am sure. Many people much wiser than I have read this story since it was written.

Thanks for this information for It makes the story more horrible in regard to Montressor revenge.... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 50.5.88.250 (talk) 19:23, 15 November 2018 (UTC)

Montressor's jealously; "Unnamed person" and the "Jesters bells"

Montressor Motive is apparent Jealously as he remarks to Fortunato: "...You are rich, respected,admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was...". The Unnamed person is apparently a Confessional priest -someone who knows Montressors soul very well...indeed it would seem that this is a deathbed confession of Montressor who must be very old...and ironic while it is the murdered Fortunato who rests in Peace...Montressor does not say if he [Montressor] has known any peace from the knowledge of half a century of his crime. Lastly it is signeificant is Fortunato's Jester bells ringing...while Montressor in vain hears for a response from his victium...the ringing of the bells could echo the Death Knell of bells rung at a funeral...[i.e. Fortunato does not answear because he is either dying or is already dead...add to this the significance of the torch being dropped in the tomb along with the nitre…[see previous comments above]]