Edgar Allan Poe's strong use of symbols throughout "The Cask of Amontillado" is what makes this story worth examining. The author's clever use of these devices to shape this horrifying and gripping short story has made this play a classic American horror story, which revolves around the theme of revenge and pride. In the "Tût d'Amontillado", there are three main symbols crucial to the storyline. There are the Catacombs which, while obviously representing death as it is a strange place filled with corpses, also show Fortunato's isolation from the outside world; While also foreshadowing his imminent fate. An additional symbol is the Amontillado barrel itself. The barrel could be interpreted to represent various things, but the main idea that this symbol signifies is Fortunato's desires and greed. All Fortunato cares about is tasting this rare delicacy of a wine and not thinking about his personal health and safety while tasting it. Montresor ironically warns him that he risks falling ill if he enters the cellars where the wine is kept, "the severe collar...