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I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.
Montresor makes this comment as he describes his friendliness to Fortunato as he plotted his revenge. This unsettling remark emphasizes the vehemence of Montresor’s hatred for Fortunato, but also suggests its one-sidedness. Fortunato has no reason to believe Montresor’s smile is not genuine, but all the while Montresor is imagining Fortunato burning to death. There is a clear mismatch in passion between the two men. Montresor’s violent imaginings seem far more intense than any feeling Fortunato expresses toward Montressor.
“Yes,” I said, “for the love of God!” But to these words I hearkened in vain for a reply. I grew impatient. I called aloud —“Fortunato!”
Here, Montresor begins to taunt Fortunato as he bricks up his victim in the vault. However, after some desperate pleading, Fortunato appears to quickly give up and submit to his fate. Montresor appears confused, expecting a reply or reaction, that is, expecting Fortunato to act as a rival who knows he’s been bested. Fortunato’s silence highlights that Montresor’s anger toward Fortunato does not match Fortunato’s anger toward him. Thematically speaking, Fortunato cannot truly reply to Montresor because he and Montresor are not having the same conversation. Fortunato has never truly been Montresor’s rival, as Montresor appears to have thought.
