Edgar Allan Poe

Quickwrite  In the story we are starting today, the main character is motivated by revenge and does something horrible. Why do you think people are motivated by revenge? Is revenge ever okay? Explain your reasoning.

Vocabulary  Venture – to proceed somewhere despite the risk of danger  Even though they were amidst a hurricane, the man ventured out to get milk and bread.

Vocabulary  Vowed – promised  He vowed he was going to make some changes in his attitude, but he broke this promise days later.

Vocabulary  Impunity – freedom from punishment  He said that other nations that might use weapons of mass destruction were watching to see if Syria escaped with impunity.

Vocabulary  Unredressed – not corrected or compensated for  Even though the boy copied his work from his friend, his wrongdoing was unredressed since the teacher did not notice.

Vocabulary  Retribution – deserved punishment; payback  The girl was not allowed to go to the school dance in retribution for starting a food fight in the cafeteria.

Vocabulary  Perceive – to become aware or conscious of  From his unhappy body language, the woman perceived that her husband was upset.

Vocabulary  Connoisseurship – expert knowledge or judgment  She is a connoisseur of music, as she is an expert in all types of musical genres.

Vocabulary  Accosted – to speak to someone or address  Shoppers accosted the politician about her political platform while she was trying to do his grocery shopping.

Building Background  In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montressor looks to seek revenge on Fortunato.  The story takes place during Carnival, a festive season before Lent.  Carnival is a public celebration, which involves eating, drinking, wearing masks and costumes, and celebrating in the streets.

Building Background  Cask – a large barrel-like container made of wood, metal, or plastic, used for wine  Nitre - The mineral form of potassium nitrate that often grows in damp places like a wine vault.  Catacombs – Underground burial chambers that were common in Europe.  It was common for wealthy families to have their deceased family members in catacombs in their own homes.

Active Reading Marking Your Text LOL - funny parts ! - shocking, astounding parts ? - confusing parts - favorite parts - parts that make me predict - important parts

Think, Pair, Share  Look over the symbols you used to mark your text.  With a partner, share the parts of the story you have marked.  Discuss the important, shocking, confusing, favorite, funny parts and the parts that made you predict. LOL ! ?

Quickwrite  Describe the setting of “The Cask of Amontillado.” Use as many vocabulary words as possible.

Vocabulary  Afflicted – grievously affected normally with disease  In Africa, many paramedics fear being infected with HIV as they aid the afflicted.

Vocabulary  Explicit – very clear  The directions were explicit, as they told me exactly where to go.

Vocabulary  Sufficient – more than enough in size or scope  The inspector’s report said the FBI failed to provide sufficient training to employees in handling confidential information.

Vocabulary  Gait – a person’s manner of walking  A few minutes later an armed man wearing a scarf appeared on foot, strolling in an easygoing gait.

Vocabulary  Gleam – shine brightly like a star or light  Her eyes lit up at their new living room with its gleaming hardwood floors and charming fireplace.

Vocabulary  Seize – take hold of, grab  The father seized his daughter by arm to move her out of the street.

Vocabulary  Grotesque –hideous, strangely ugly  The bullet left a grotesque wound on his arm, as it cut through flesh and bone.

Vocabulary  Gesticulation – a dramatic gesture/movement  As the man slipped in the spilled water, he gesticulated wildly to keep his balance.

Point of View Practice  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 gave utterance to a threat. At length I would be avenged; this was a point definitely, settled -- but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. I must not only punish but punish with impunity.  What point of view is “The Cask of Amontillado” written in?

Active Reading Marking Your Text LOL - funny parts ! - shocking, astounding parts ? - confusing parts - favorite parts - parts that make me predict - important parts

Vocabulary Jigsaw  Each group is assigned two vocabulary words.  Working in twos or threes within your group, make a vocabulary model with your word.  Remember to have two strong sentences!

Quickwrite  Predict how you think “The Cask of Amontillado” will end.

Review  Vocabulary  Setting  Plot

Vocabulary  Jest – joke  He laughed unpleasantly at his own jest.

Vocabulary  Remote – distant, far away  He stood outside on the beautiful night breathing in the cool air and looking at the remote stars.

Vocabulary  Spacious – having ample space  The spacious field was filled with tents for the music festival.

Vocabulary  Colossal – great in size or force  As the colossal fire spread through park, dozens of firefighters were called to put it out.

Vocabulary  Bewildered – perplexed, confused  When the man was asked to explain the difficult equation, he scratched his head completeled bewildered.

Vocabulary  Astounded – shocked, surprised  Astounded viewers shrieked as they watched the politician fall down on the platform.

Vocabulary  Ceased – put an end to, stop  Then, all of a sudden, the fight ceased and the winner cheered.

Active Reading Marking Your Text LOL - funny parts ! - shocking, astounding parts ? - confusing parts - favorite parts - parts that make me predict - important parts

Socratic Seminar Discussion Questions  Think about the Quickwrite you responded to before reading the story – “Why are people motivated by revenge? Is revenge ever okay?” Have your thoughts on this changed since reading the story?  Montressor never explains just why he hates Fortunato?What do you think of Fortunato? Was he deserving of what came to him?  Poe uses a first person narrator here, and Poe has been known for his unreliable narrators. Do you find the narrator reliable or unreliable?  What is your general impression of Montressor? What makes him a villain? How is he like other villains in TV and movies? Does he possess any qualities that you find likeable or admirable?