Question

In what way is Montresor an unreliable narrator? How does the use of an unreliable narrator influence readers’ views of Montresor’s actions? Cite evidence from the text to support your response.

Answer 1

An unreliable narrator is one we cannot trust completely for various reasons. First of all, this type of a narrator may say one thing at one point, and then something completely different at another, which makes us not trust his words. An unreliable narrator usually shows weird behavior towards themselves and others, which is the case with Montresor. He is treating Fortunado quite awfully, locking him inside a vault due to his mental instability. 
When the author, Edgar Allan Poe, uses the technique of the unreliable narrator to portray his protagonist, he is only emphasizing his mental instability and giving us reasons not to trust the narrator and to question his every move.

Answer 2

Montresor is considered an unreliable narrator because his opinion of Fortunato is biased. Montresor feels greatly wronged by Fortunato, but the exact wrongdoing that Fortunato has committed is never clearly mentioned in the story. As a result, readers cannot comprehend or agree with Montresor’s extreme form of revenge, which actually makes readers sympathize with Fortunato. In addition, readers do not have any background on Montresor, so Montresor’s sanity is questionable, considering he formulates and carries out an elaborate plan to entomb and murder someone who insulted him.