In “The Scarlet Ibis”, written by James Hurst, and “The Cask of Amontillado”, written by Edgar Allan Poe, the characters in both works are the theme of Appearance versus Reality. The authors use Appearance versus Reality by revealing the cruel intentions of Montresor and the reality of how Doodle learned to walk. Both “The Scarlet Ibis” and “The Cask of Amontillado” are influenced by Appearance versus Reality as the plot progresses in both of these stories. The process of maturation in Doodle and Brother demonstrate the theme of Appearance versus Reality in “The Scarlet Ibis”. When Doodle was born, his family and the doctor presumed that he would not live to experience a full life. Even his own mother did not think that he would remain …show more content…
As Montresor and Fortunato happen upon each other at the carnival, Montresor discusses the Amontillado he was given and ushered Fortunato to his cellar, where he claimed Amontillado to be. Along the way, Montresor says with concern,” My friend, no. It is not the engagement, but the severe cold with which I perceive you to be afflicted with. The vaults are insufferably damp” (Poe 8). Montresor hides how he actually despises Fortunato with caring words, continuing with his plot to murder him, while Fortunato believes that Montresor is a good, truthful friend, and does not question his intentions. Near the end of the journey, Montresor finally shows his true plans. He describes that “In an instant [Fortunato] had reached the extremity of the niche, and finding his progress arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered. A moment more and [he] had fettered him to the granite… [Fortunato] was much too astounded to resist” (Poe 10). It is in this moment that Fortunato realizes how he has been fooled, and that Montresor was never going to bring him to the Amontillado he claimed he had. The reality was that Montresor had been scheming to trick Fortunato in order to exact revenge for a wrong that Fortunato did to him in the past. Through the characters’ actions, the theme of Appearance versus Reality was once again