Often, writers use symbolism to describe an object with more clarity for the reader. It provides additional layers of meaning to a text. Symbolism is not only important in literature, but it is also important in everyday life. For example, symbolism is found in colors, objects and flowers. For example, a rose can represent love and romance. Symbolism is used in literature, films and even on street signs. Like the colors of street lights: red means stop, yellow means slow down and green means continue. Another technique used in “The Cask of Amontillado” is irony. Irony (in literature) is when the writer uses words to convey a meaning that is usually the opposite of its literal meaning. It is used to attract the reader's attention and give more depth to the text. In the short story “The Cask of Amontillado” there is verbal and dramatic irony. Irony is important because it allows the reader to convey intense meaning without having to state it directly. This also keeps the reader interested and creates a more comedic story. Verbal irony is when a character says one thing, but means the opposite. It is often confused with sarcasm, but the difference is that sarcasm is intentional and direct while verbal irony is indirect. Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that the character in the story does not. For example, in a horror film, when the character enters a house and the audience already knows the killer is inside. In the short story, Montresor begins the story by saying that he was insulted by Fortunato. Never, throughout the story, does Montresor tell us how he was insulted by Fortunato. He had planned everything to assassinate Lopez4Fortunato without putting himself in danger. Strong...... middle of paper ......ntillado'. »Bright Hub Education. Bright Hub Inc., October 9, 2013. Web. March 17, 2014. Poe, Edgar Allan. “The Amontillado barrel.” Heritage of American literature. Ed. James E. Miller. Flight. 2. Austin: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1991. 20.Print.Russ, RJ “Symbolism in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado.” » Yahoo Voices. Yahoo, Inc., April 28, 2008. Web. March 17, 2014. Shmoop editorial team. “The barrel writing style of Amontillado.” Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc., November 11, 2008. Web. March 17, 2014. Study Mode Editors. "Irony and symbolism in 'The Cask of Amontillado'." Study mode. Np, October 1999. Web. March 17, 2014. Weebly Publishers. "Irony in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado'." Alice English. Alice English Portfolio, Inc., June 2012. Web. March 17 2014.