* Remember to Read Page 57 First

“Cask of Amontillado”

* Remember to read page 57 first.

Part I: Vocabulary

Directions Learn each of the vocabulary words on p. 57 and add/draw a picture to illustrate the word.

1. Preclude

2. Impunity

3. Accost

4. Explicit

5. Implore

Part II: Paraphrase

Directions Choose passages from the story. Write the words exactly as they appear in the story in the second column. Then write your paraphrase in the last column. The first entry from the story is supplied. Use a dictionary for help whenever you need it.

Page # Story Passage (word for word Paraphrase (tell what happens in your own retyped) words) 59 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.

60 Putting on a mask of black silk, and drawing a roquelaure closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo. 2

63 It was in vain that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch,

endeavored to pry into the depth of the recess. Its termination the feeble light did not enable us to see.

64 I re-echoed—I aided—I surpassed them in volume and in strength. I did this, and the clamorer grew still.

Part III: Mood

Directions In the second column, list story details that contribute to the mood of Poe’s story. In the last column, identify the mood or feeling the details help create and tell why you think so. The first row below gives an example from Montresor’s encounter with Fortunato in the street.

Page # Story Detail (word or parts of Mood (explain how the mood was created) passage retyped) 59 . . . about dusk . . . during the The dusk signals that darkness is coming. extreme mad- ness of the There seems to be a mood of danger carnival season . . . he had because Fortunato is drunk and dressed like been drinking much . . . wore a clown or jester; he is unprepared to deal motley. . . with dark events.

59 “Come, let us go.”

“Whither?”

“To your vaults.”

61 “True—true,” I replied; “and, 3

indeed, I had no intention of alarming you unneces- sarily; but you should use all proper caution.

62 From the fourth the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point a mound of some size.

Part IV: Questions

Directions Answer each question in complete sentences and provide evidence from the text to support your answer.

1a. p. 60 This painting depicts a street scene during Carnival. How would you describe the atmosphere in this painting? How does it compare with the opening scene from this story? 1b. What are one or two questions you would ask Montresor?

2. (a)How does Montresor get Fortunato to come with him to his vaults?

(b)What is Montresor’s motive for leading Fortunato there?

3. (a)Describe the conversation between Montresor and Fortunato as they walk in the catacombs.

(b)What is ironic about Montresor’s concern for Fortunato’s health?

4. (a)What happens to Fortunato at the end of the story?

(b)In what ways is this a “perfect” crime?

5. What details does Poe include to show Montresor as a cold-blooded killer? Do you think his portrayal is effective? Why or why not?

6. Why might Poe have chosen to write this story from the first-person point of view, describing only Montresor’s thoughts and not Fortunato’s?

7. Matters of Life and Death: Do you believe that Montresor resolves his conflict with Fortunato? What else could Montresor have done to solve his problem? 4

8. Connect to the Author: Poe is known as a master of the horror stories. Based on this story, would you agree? Consider the following before making your decision. What is the moment of greatest horror in this story? How well does Poe build up to this moment?

9. p. 65 Illustration

Group Activity Discuss the following questions with classmates. Use evidence from “The Cask of Amontillado” to support your answers. a. How accurately does Rackham re-create the setting of “The Cask of Amontillado”? Consider the size of the niche, the number of levels of brick, the chains, and the niter. b. How accurately does Rackham re-create the characters? Consider their clothing, the expressions on their faces, and their postures. c. How well does Rackham capture the mood of this moment in the story? Explain.

Part V: Summarize

Directions Read and summarize the article on the last page. Write a minimum on 3 sentences.