Questions on American LiteratureQuestion 4 on P16 Describe briefly how Poe characterizes Montresor and Fortunato as contrasts.“The Cask of Amontillado” best explains Poes literary theory on short story writing that literature creates beauty and shows intensity of emotion as he characterizes Montresor and Fortunato as striking contrasts.At the beginning of the story, Montresors self-introduction left readers an impression that he was a person with great patience as he had borne Fortunatos insult many a time before. And his determination to revenge seemed only words without action. Yet, he turned out to be a cunning, discreet avenger, plotting secretly and waiting patiently for a best opportunity to appear. When a perfect moment came, he grasped it and smilingly begged for Fortunatos favor while he covered his evil intention so well that Fortunato couldnt help but fall into his trap. The so-called bad guy, Fortunato, took such unusual pride in his knowledge of wine and his skill of wine judgment that he became insensitive, foolishly blind, unable to detect Montresors sinister purpose. He gradually approached his grave quite willingly and Montresor easily took his advantage. It was towards the end of the story that truth was revealed. Montresor, the relentless avenger, attacked Fortunato, the big fool, and buried him alive. We readers took aback, hard to believe Montresors cruelty. The emotional intensity was thus naturally achieved. Through such characterization Poe reveals his purpose of writing, i.e., there is evil in human nature, which is usually covered and ignored, and too much pride brings one his final destruction.Question 1. p. 33. Why is the prison the setting of Chapter I and what is the implication of the description of the roses? Hawthornes intention of using the prison as the setting of Chapter I is quite obvious. Here, the prison “black flower of civilized society” symbolizes the 17th-century Puritan society of Boston, where its residents were all prisoners as there was no freedom (of speech, will or love) but cruel and outdated rules and regulations. Yet no matter how dark the prison-like Puritan environment was, there had been some brave and steadfast people fighting for justice, right and freedom. Anne Hutchinson was a good example. Hawthornes description of the roses carries such implication that Hester Prynne was following Anne Hutchinsons footsteps, remaining faithful to Nature and morality. The roses “sweet moral blossom” symbolize hope and future of mankind.Question 2. p. 33. Describe the appearance of Hester Prynne and the attitude of the people towards her. Hester Prynne was a tall figure of perfect elegance, characterized by a certain state and dignity. She was lady-like, after the manner of the feminine gentility of those days. She appeared so graceful because she possessed true love, which she thought was something noble and worthwhile and for which she was willing to sacrifice herself. Hester had acquired strong psychological independence, which provided her more power and courage to endure serenely and quietly the public insult (abuse), weight and hardness of the reality. Hawthorne seems to stress the importance of psychological independence. Different people have different attitude towards Hester. Some are sympathetic, others feel sorry for her, and still others, especially those cold-hearted, middle-aged wives express their hatred towards Hester because she has brought shame upon them. And they hate her because of her youth, beauty and love she possesses obviously, all of which are what they lack in their daily life. They think the present punishment given to Hester by the judges is too mild to warn the others effectively. Some of them even suggest that death should be the just penalty.Question 3. p. 33. What has happened to Hester? Why does she make the embroidery of the letter “A” so elaborate? How does this tell us about her character?Hester has offended the Puritan rule, sinned, guilty of adultery. Condemned (Punished) to wear on the breast of her gown the scarlet letter, “A”, she is to stand on the platform before the meeting house for 3 hours so that her shame (disgrace) might be a timely warning and a reproach to all who saw her.The reason why she makes the embroidery of the letter “A” so elaborate might be that she believes in and treasures her true love with Dimmesdale. She is loyal to her lover, faithful to morality, honest to herself. She becomes independent and strong in psychology, generous in action, living a life with complete dignity and great fortitude.What is Hawthornes “black” vision of life and human beings?Hawthornes literary world is very disturbed, tormented and problematical, mostly because of his black vision of life and human beings. He looks more deeply and honestly into life, finding in it much suffering and conflict, and the redeeming power of love. According to Hawthorne, “There is evil in every