I've been thinking lately about the story by Poe, wherein the narrator, a patient but obsessive avenger named Montresor, lures his longtime foe, Fortunato, down into the catacombs beneath his home, where he calmly and pleasantly walls him up in a corner crypt. There is something about this story that has gotten under my skin lately, although it has always been one of my favorites by that awesome author. I don't know why I keep thinking about it these days, unless it has to do with the fact that I have been visiting the DailyKos blogging boards on a regular basis, and maybe there is a parallel theme running through a lot of the blogs I am reading. Or maybe it is just the overriding grisliness of much of the news these days...
The story is a short one, even by Poe's standards, but it really packs a wallop. There is something terribly civilized about the narrator, that contrasts with his discovered purpose, and the methodical nature of his act of revenge. We often fail to remember that danger does not always advertise itself before becoming apparent. We grow accustomed to seeing acts of brutality committed by ugly, dirty people with poor language skills, on the movie screen, or depicted on the nightly news. For some reason, we are taught that people who dress well, are clean-shaven, who have positions of authority in society are somehow more safe to be around, and can be trusted not to harm us or our children.
Montresor has very polished manners. He has what one could say is a politician's grasp of the importance of seeming friendly. He also seems to have a preternatural understanding of other peoples' faults and weaknesses, perhaps another valuable skill among those courting the vote. When he wants to be sure that none of his household servants are around the house when he is committing his crime, he gives them "explicit orders not to stir from the house". When he wants to make Fortunato eager to accompany him down into the catacombs, he appeals to his vanity as a connoisseur of vintage wines.
I can't help but think that Fortunato and Montresor are like embodiments of the two major political parties, the Democrats and Republicans. It is pretty clear which one is which, at this stage of the game. The household servants must represent the media, who never seem to tire of shirking their responsibilities. The only question in my mind is how far along the story is at this point, specifically, how many rows of bricks the Democrats have cemented into place thus far, and whether they will have the singlemindedness of purpose to follow through with the task at hand. I fear that the servants may not be as predictable as Montresor assumes they are, and that they may yet throw a wrench into the works. And I don't know if I would be disappointed if they did, or if I really want to see that last brick shoved into place.
Hopefully now that I have put this all down with pen and paper, I will rid myself of this nagging recurring image. Besides, I'm hoping to reread The Pit and the Pendulum one of these days.