“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe

About the Author Edgar Allan Poe 1809-1849 Poe’s parents died before he was 3 years old. Adopted into the Allan family, and sent to the best boarding schools. Had to leave the University of Virginia when he racked up too many gambling debts. Suffered from depression and alcoholism. Died unexpectedly at the age of 40.

Setting: Carnival

Pre-Reading theme connection Has anyone ever done anything to you that made you want to get revenge on them? What did they do? Have you ever gotten revenge on someone for something they did to you? What did you do to them in return? Why did you feel a need to get revenge?

Audio reading of “The Cask of Amontillado” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqSIRsmu7DE

Literary Analysis Discussion Questions

1. CHARACTERIZE Montresor - What kind of person is he? CHARACTERIZATION: how an author introduces and describes a character, may be done directly (tells) or indirectly (shows) POSSIBLE RESPONSES - Concerned with honor – kills Fortunato over an “insult” Cruel – taunts Fortunato by showing him the trowel and screaming w/him when walling him up Manipulative – entraps Fortunato using F’s own self-perception; manipulates the servants

2. What might Fortunato’s name mean? Someone who is fortunate Someone who becomes successful through luck, not necessarily hard work

3. Why might Fortunato’s name be IRONIC? He is not fortunate in his interactions with Montresor, which lead to his death. This is the opposite of what we might expect for someone whose name implies good luck or fortune.

4. Give examples of IRONY in the story, including SITUATIONAL, DRAMATIC, and VERBAL IRONY. Situational: Fortunato expects Amontillado (a treat) and instead receives death. Dramatic: Fortunato doesn’t know he’ll be killed; but reader does, and thus gets the trowel joke and the cough joke. Verbal: the compliments and mentions of health that Montresor pays to Fortunato.

5. How does not knowing what Fortunato did to Montresor intensify the horror of this story? One could imagine that Fortunato’s offense is quite minor or unintentional and that Montresor is a particularly cruel person One could imagine their own friends or acquaintances behaving like Montresor?

6. Would the story be better or worse if you knew what Fortunato did to Montresor? Explain. Might be worse because Poe’s idea of what is horrifying might not match yours. Might be better if Poe manages to tap into your deepest, most secret fears.

7. Explain how Montresor’s family motto is related to the story 7. Explain how Montresor’s family motto is related to the story? To the actions of Montresor? The motto translates, “No one insults me with impunity.” This shows that Montresor cannot let an insult be forgiven. He interprets it to allow/require him to kill Fortunato.

8. How does Montresor manipulate Fortunato 8. How does Montresor manipulate Fortunato? What CHARACTER TRAITS make Fortunato easy prey for Montresor? Fortunato is really proud of his ability to judge fine wines and is competitive with others to show his skill. He also likes to drink. Montresor appeals to Fortunato’s pride w/the story of the cask, and uses Luchesi to appeal to F’s competitive nature; he also preys on F’s drunkenness

9. What is the setting? What details of the setting contribute to the horror of this story? Italy (mentions Italians; names seem Italian) During the carnival season Probably mid-1800s as the word “millionaire” was coined around 1820-1830. Horror: catacombs, nitre, midnight

10. Contrast the setting in the beginning of the story with the setting where Montresor takes Fortunato. The beginning is the craziness of carnival, with costumes, colors, noise, parties; it is dusk. The end is in the depth of Montresor’s family crypt with darkness, bones, horror; it is midnight.

11. Who is the PROTAGONIST of this story? Justify your answer. It is Montresor He is the one pursuing a goal, even if we think it’s a negative goal The reader gets most insight into his motives and thoughts.

12. Who is the narrator of this story? What kind of narrator is he? Montresor is the narrator First person limited (uses “I”; doesn’t give Fortunato’s thoughts May be unreliable Doesn’t explain the “insult” Might have pangs of conscience “My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs…” Why is he telling this story 50 years later? possibly deathbed confession?

13. Explain a symbol in the story. The cask of Amontillado could symbolize the wealth associated with a rare item, which motivates both characters Montresor’s coat of arms could symbolize his revenge against Fortunato’s insult Fortunato’s fool costume symbolizes his foolishness and greed Carnival symbolizes a topsy-turvy society that allows such a murder The mansion/catacombs symbolize Montresor’s personality, which is pleasant on the outside, but filled with death and darkness underneath.