Question

What is nitre in The Cask of Amontillado?

Answer 1

Nitre is mentioned by both Montresor and Fortunato in Edgar Allan Poe's short story ''The Cask of Amontillado.'' Nitre is the mineral form of potassium nitrate. It causes irritation in the form of coughing.

In the story, Montresor refers to nitre as ''the white webwork which gleams from these cavern walls.'' The nitre represents the web of deceit that Montresor weaves around Fortunato as he draws his victim closer to his doom.

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Answer 2

Nitre is the British spelling of the wordniter, which is the mineral form of potassium nitrate. ... But in Edgar Allan Poe's story "The Cask of Amontillado," theniter has a symbolic meaning, as well. As Fortunato is led deeper into the catacombs of Montresor's family, the niter increases.