Irving's Rip Van Winkle vs Poe's The Cask of Amontillado.

The case of Rip Van Winkle the two time periods Irving Washington is contrasting is the twenty years overlapping the American Revolution. Irving uses metaphors in the story, to describe the changes that the American society went through during the Revolutionary period: America before English rule, early American colonies under English rule, and America after the Revolutionary War. Irving uses the character of Dame Van Winkle as a metaphor for Royal England and its treatment of the Colonies. Rip Van Winkle's character depicts the society of America being forced away by England. Rip Van Winkle goes to sleep in a period when the colonies are ruled by England and awakes in a period of American Independence. As Rip enters the village he notices a number of differences, among them the tavern where he spent much of his time had greatly changed. "He recognized on the sign, however, the ruby face of King George, under which he had smoked so many a peaceful pipe; but even this was singularly metamorphosed. The red coat was changed for one of blue and buff, a sword was held in the hand instead of a sceptre, the head was decorated with a cocked hat, and underneath was painted in large characters, GENERAL WASHINGTON." Rip Van Winkle's character depicts the society of America as seen by England; whereas, his wife,Dame Van Winkle, portrays England. The story also alludes to the economic shift from a more rural based economy to an increasingly urban one. Rip is surprised about the change in the pace and style of life upon returning to the village: "The very village was altered; it was larger and more populous. There were rows of houses which he had never seen before, and those which had been his familiar haunts had disappeared." , "The very character of the people seemed changed. There was a busy, bustling, disputatious tone about it, instead of the accustomed phlegm and drowsy tranquillity" The Cask of Amontillado is a powerful tale of revenge full of irony. Montresor, the sinister narrator of this tale, pledges revenge upon Fortunato for an insult. Montresor intends to seek vengeance in support of his family motto: "Nemo me impune lacessit."("No one assails me with impunity.") We are reminded of the coat of arms and the Montresor family motto. The insignia is symbolic of Montresor's evil character, who like the serpent intends to get revenge. It is important for Montresor to have his victim know what is happening to him. Montresor will derive pleasure from the fact that "...as Fortunato slowly dies, the thought of his rejected opportunities of escape will sting him with unbearable regret, and as he sobers with terror, the final blow will come from the realization that his craving for the wine has led him to his doom."

Irony, both dramatic and verbal, plays an important role in this process. Dramatic irony (the reader perceives something that a character in the story does not) occurs when the reader becomes painfully aware of what will become of Fortunato even though the character continues his descent into the catacombs in pursuit of the Amontillado. Poe further adds to this effect by calling the character Fortunato (who is anything but fortunate), and dressing him in a clown or a fool's costume since Montresor intends to make a fool of him as part of his dark plan. There are numerous examples of verbal irony. One of the most memorable lines of the story is given by Montresor in response to Fortunato saying, "I will not die of a cough." Montresor says, "True-true...." Other examples can be seen when Montresor toasts Fortunato's long life as well as when he says that he is a mason, but not in the sense that Fortunato means. "In pace requiescat!" ("Rest in peace!") is the last irony of a heavily ironic tale. Washington Irving and Edgar Allan Poe used very different tones in their stories, which had connected themes and issues within them. One of the major themes that both authors used is the dark side of human nature. Irving dealt with this issue in a way that appeared lighthearted and simple, but when the reader analyzes one of his stories, as I made with Rip Van Winkle, he sees that there is a deeper message. Poe's writing style is darker and more haunting than most writers. Both were part of the Romantic movement in America, however Poe was more Gothic, or Dark Romantic in style. Nevertheless I think this two short stories have one important common point, evasion, Poe denies life through revenge and Irving's Rip Van Winkle denies time, above all when time entails changes through important events (social, political).