In order to write a a thematic statement, you first need a theme. There are a few themes in The Cask of Amontillado, such as the mortality of man or the violation of trust; but the one that I will use is the theme of hubris. (For a fuller explanation of the other themes, I have included a link.) Hubris, as defined by dictionary.com, is "excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance." In literature, another part is generally added to the meaning: the arrogance leads to a downfall of some kind. This happens to both characters: Montressor's hubris leads him to a moral downfall by means of murder, and Fortunato's hubris leads him to death (which is the ultimate downfall). With all of that in mind, one example of a thematic statement for The Cask of Amontillado could be something like:
In the short story The Cask of Amontillado, Poe explores the reality of hubris: how the pride of man will lead to their downfall.
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