Situational Irony in “The Cask of Amontillado” and “All Summer in a Day”

Introduction

“The Cask of Amontillado and “All Summer in a Day” are both similar and different in many ways. One similarity is how in each story, the character develops conflict. “The Cask of Amontillado” takes place in the catacombs where Montresor kills Fortunato.

Role of the Irony in “The Cask of Amontillado” and “All Summer in a Day”

Montresor is the protagonist, and Fortunato is the antagonist. Montresor wants to lure Fortunato down into the catacombs and seek revenge. Montresor and Fortunato develop the conflict, which is clear because Montresor is upset that Fortunato insulted him and wants to kill Fortunato, which is similar to “All Summer in a Day,” where the conflict takes place between Margot, a newcomer to a life of Venus, and the other children, who have lived in Venus in its constant rain and gloom.

Margot doesn’t fit in with the other children. The sun only comes out every seven years. The children, who are nine years old, do not ever remember seeing the sun. the characters develop conflict when the other kids bully Margot, similar to “The Cask of Amontillado.” “The Cask of Amontillado” is similar to “All Summer in a Day” because Montresor and the other kids both portray the bully, and Fortunato and Margot are the victims.

Although “The Cask of Amontillado” and “All Summer in a Day” have similarities, they also have differences. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” irony develops the conflict. Montresor wants to kill Fortunato. Montresor makes it very clear that he is going to kill him. For example, Montresor tells Fortunato, “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met.” Which is ironic. Also, Fortunato thinks he is doing a favor for him, but in reality, he is planning to kill him. This develops the conflict even further because it adds the idea that Montresor doesn’t like Fortunato.

The irony helps develop the understanding of who is going to get killed and that Fortunato is unaware of his situation, which is ironic because Fortunato sounds like fortune or luck. Unlike “the cask of Amontillado,” “All Summer in a Day. In “All Summer in a Day,” the setting takes place in Venus when it only stops raining for two hours every seven years.

Conclusion: Similarities and Differences 

The setting develops conflict because without it taking place in Venus, the kids would be jealous of Margot, causing no conflict. Venus is gloomy and sad, helping to develop the eerie and sad feeling of Margot getting bullied. When the kids get ready to play in the sun, they lock Margot in a closet so she is unable to play in the sun.

In the end, both stories have similarities and differences, but both are great stories in their own ways.

References

1. Poe, Edgar Allan. “The Cask of Amontillado.” Literature Collection. University of Maryland, n.d. Web.

2. Bradbury, Ray. “All Summer in a Day.” The Stories of Ray Bradbury. William Morrow, 1980.

3. Benthall, Jonathan. “Irony in Literature: Understanding Literary Irony.” ThoughtCo, Nov 10, 2020.

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