The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe Feature Menu Introducing the Selection Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator Reading Focus: Drawing Conclusions Writing Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer TechFocus

The Cask of Amontillado Introducing the Selection Who has a bigger effect on your life— friends or enemies?

The Cask of Amontillado Introducing the Selection Click on the title to start the video.

The Cask of Amontillado Introducing the Selection Lured by the promise of a fine wine, Fortunato journeys into the depths of the Montresors’ catacombs—underground tunnels that house the dead. What happens when Fortunato is led through the dark, dank catacombs? Is his host really a madman bent on revenge? [End of Section]

The Cask of Amontillado Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator When you read a story told by a first-person narrator—a character who tells the story by using I—be sure to ask yourself if the narrator can be trusted. Sometimes, writers purposely use an unreliable narrator, a narrator who does not always tell the truth.

The Most Dangerous Game Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator Like people in general, an unreliable narrator may not know the whole truth or may purposely choose to deceive us.

The Most Dangerous Game Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator To find clues about whether a narrator is reliable, pay attention to the narrator’s actions, statements, voice—style of speaking, diction—word choice, and tone—attitude.

The Cask of Amontillado Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator Read the following passage. What clues indicate that the narrator may be unreliable? You’ll never believe what happened to me on my way to work this morning. I was minding my own business, driving in the middle lane of the highway, when some fool cut me off. His rear bumper was an inch from my car! I could’ve been killed! I dropped my cell phone and leaned on my horn. He ignored me like he’d done nothing wrong! So I switched lanes and sped up to pull alongside him. As soon as my car was even with his, I yelled out the window at him; again, he ignored me! I couldn’t believe it! You’ll never believe what happened to me on my way to work this morning. I was minding my own business, driving in the middle lane of the highway, when this fool cut me off. His rear bumper was an inch from my car! I could’ve been killed! I dropped my cell phone, and leaned on my horn. He ignored me like he’d done nothing wrong! So I switched lanes and sped up to pull alongside him. As soon as my car was even with his, I yelled out the window at him; again, he ignored me! I couldn’t believe it!

The Cask of Amontillado Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator Listen closely to the following passage from the story. The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. What clues hint that the narrator may not be reliable? [End of Section]

The Cask of Amontillado Reading Focus: Drawing Conclusions When you read, you act like a detective. You gather evidence and draw conclusions, or make judgments, based on that evidence.

The Cask of Amontillado Reading Focus: Drawing Conclusions To decide if Poe’s narrator is reliable, look closely at what the narrator says and does, and what Fortunato, the narrator’s enemy, says. What details suggest that the narrator is unreliable— perhaps even insane?

The Cask of Amontillado Reading Focus: Drawing Conclusions Into Action: Keep track of specific details to help you draw conclusions about the story’s narrator. Into Action: Conclusions About Montresor’s Reliability What the Narrator Says and Does What Fortunato Says and Does My Conclusions “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could. . . .” Fortunato joins the narrator and treats him as a friend. The narrator may be imagining that Fortunato has mistreated him. [End of Section]

The Cask of Amontillado Writing Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer Find It in Your Reading Poe carefully uses language to create a portrait of the story’s narrator. It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunado cause to doubt my goodwill. 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. As you read, collect other examples of words and phrases that help reveal the narrator’s personality. [End of Section]

The Cask of Amontillado Writing Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer TechFocus As you read, jot down titles of stories, artwork, songs, and so on that remind you of Poe’s style. Think about how to post this online. [End of Section]

Vocabulary

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary impunity n.: freedom from punishment or harm. retribution n.: punishment for a wrong; justice; revenge. impose v.: (used with upon) take advantage of. implore v.: beg. obstinate adj.: stubborn.

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary The word impunity is often used in connection with legal testimony and trials. Imagine that a criminal agrees to testify against himself—only if he is to be treated with impunity. What does the criminal want?

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary Caroline mistakenly believed that she would be treated with impunity if she stayed out late. What is likely to happen when she’s late returning home? Her parents will ask whether she enjoyed herself. Her parents will have nothing to say to her. Her parents will complain and then punish her.

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary Caroline mistakenly believed that she would be treated with impunity if she stayed out late. What is likely to happen when she’s late returning home? Her parents will ask whether she enjoyed herself. Her parents will have nothing to say to her. Her parents will complain and then punish her.

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary People who seek retribution often feel that someone has committed an injustice. This belief may be real or imagined. A person seeking retribution is likely to believe that the punishment, or payback, is fair. What are some reasons that a person might seek retribution?

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary In retribution for getting kicked off the team, Jenna started a nasty rumor about her coach. Why did Jenna start the rumor? She wanted to get attention. She wanted revenge. She thought it would be funny.

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary In retribution for getting kicked off the team, Jenna started a nasty rumor about her coach. Why did Jenna start the rumor? She wanted to get attention. She wanted revenge. She thought it would be funny.

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary If your classmate repeatedly asks for help with her homework, she may be imposing upon you. You may have helped her once or twice, but she appears to be taking advantage of your generosity. Have you ever felt imposed upon by someone? What made his or her behavior an imposition?

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary Is imposed the best word choice in the following sentence? Robert imposed upon us by offering to help us move.

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary Is imposed the best word choice in the following sentence? Robert imposed upon us by offering to help us move. If Robert had imposed, he’d have taken advantage. The word imposed is a poor choice here.

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary The verb implore is often used when one person or group wants something from another. The person or group may beg or plead a case. For example, you might implore your teacher for an extension on a project’s deadline.

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary Devin implored me to be on his team because I’ve been playing soccer since I was five. How do you think Devin sounded when he asked? eager uninterested hesitant

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary Devin implored me to be on his team because I’ve been playing soccer since I was five. How do you think Devin sounded when he asked? eager uninterested hesitant

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary Someone may be considered obstinate if he or she holds tightly to a particular attitude, opinion, or issue. This obstinate person is unlikely to listen to other points of view. Is there an attitude, opinion, or issue to which you hold tightly?

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary Is the word obstinate used correctly in the following sentence? Sarah thought her mother was being obstinate: She had refused to let Sarah go out until her room was clean.

The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary Is the word obstinate used correctly in the following sentence? Sarah thought her mother was being obstinate: She had refused to let Sarah go out until her room was clean. Sarah probably thought her mother was being stubborn by making her clean the room before going out. Obstinate is used correctly.

The End

QuickWrite

The Cask of Amontillado QuickWrite “No man is an island.” That saying conveys the idea that the people around us have a strong influence on our thoughts and actions. Write about a time when your ideas and actions were affected by others. [End of Section]

Meet the Writer

The Cask of Amontillado Meet the Writer Edgar Allan Poe was born in 1809 to traveling actors. His father deserted the family, and Poe’s mother died before he was three. Poe was taken in as a foster child by the wealthy and childless Allan family of Richmond, Virginia. Later, however, he fell out of favor with his foster father and was left penniless. Poe wrote regularly, and his works were successful with the public. Conservative critics, though, mocked Poe’s unusual poems and stories. More About the Writer [End of Section]

Build Background

The Cask of Amontillado Build Background Centuries ago, Christians in Italy buried their dead in catacombs—long, winding underground tunnels. Later, wealthy families built private catacombs beneath their homes. Dark and cool, these chambers were also suitable for the storage of fine wines, such as amontillado.

The Cask of Amontillado Build Background Poe’s story is set during carnival, which is celebrated before the start of Lent, the season during which Christians give up various pleasures. During carnival, many people wear costumes and dance in the streets. [End of Section]

Read with a Purpose

The Cask of Amontillado Read with a Purpose Read this story to find out how a mysterious narrator seeks revenge on his worst enemy. [End of Section]