Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allan Poe uses vivid dialogue to give his characters life. He begins his tale by speaking directly to the reader. He pulls the reader in by saying that "You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat" (Poe, 191). The reader knows that the main character is speaking to him. And the reader understands that the tale will be one of darkness. The main character is looking for revenge. He seeks to punish. The reader knows that the punishment will be brutal. The main character has thought out his plan carefully. He says that he has not let on to Fortunato that he is angry. The main character was full of venom as he smiled in Fortunato's face. He lets the reader in on his grave secret. The tone is one of a conspirator. The reader has become a conspirator as well to the murder of Fortunato, for the reader now knows that Fortunato's time is limited.

It must be understood, that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my goodwill. I continued, as was my won't, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation" (Poe, 191).

Poe allows his main character to enlighten the reader about Fortunato's character without telling the full reason of why he was vexed with the man. Was he too boastful? Was the main character jealous? The main reader has only revealed that he does not think highly of the Fortunato. He is a quack. What exactly does that mean? At this point, the reader must fill in the blanks. The reader must think...

Everyone has a Fortunato in his life. Poe knows this and skillfully reveals without fully revealing. He allows the reader to use his imagination.
Fortunato was clearly a "know it all" when it came to wines. The main character has revealed his distaste in that aspect of Fortunato's character. Poe uses that bit of information to set the reader up for the story's plot.

Innocent sounding dialogue sets the reader up further. The dialogue itself is used to add suspense to the story. Fortunato will most likely be trapped in some way. How? The main character is playing on Fortunato's own arrogance.

As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi. If any one has a critical turn, it is he. He will tell me -- " (Poe, 192).

Both Fortunato and the reader are dangling by a string at this point. Fortunato, haplessly wants to greedily see if the wine is indeed Amontillado. The reader is glued into the story, hoping to learn what will happen to Fortunato.

The main character turns to the reader to give him additional details about Fortunato's demise. The plan has been set. The servants are away. They were told not to leave the house and they left the minute the main character's back was turned. The reader realizes that this main character is crafty, and Fortunato's death has been calculated until the final detail.

The main character turns to Fortunato and Poe uses his dialogue to clue the reader in further. His language is casual.

It's…