1809-18491809-1849

Born in Boston The son of traveling

actors Tragic and unhappy life

Mother died, father deserted him at the age of two

Adopted by Mr. and Mrs. John Allan

Constant disagreements with his step-father

Studied briefly at the University of Virginia

Drinking and gambling difficulties kept him from continuing at UVA

Received an appointment to West Point, but provoked his own dismissal

Caused a final separation between himself and step-father

In 1836, Poe married his 14 year-old cousin, Virginia

During the last 12 years of his life, Poe worked as a journalist, editor, and creative writer

Poe Lived in poverty stricken conditions

In 1846, wife died after a long illness

He died a poor man in Baltimore after having been found in a drunken stupor

Known for: Tales of

mystery and terror stories

Introducing the modern detective story

Short Stories The Tell-Tale Heart

The Cask of Amontillado

The Black Cat, The Pit and The Pendulum

Poems: The Raven Annabel Lee

To Helen Lenore

Sometimes strange, special effects were linked to his addiction to laudanum

Laudanum, a highly addictive, opium-based medicine, was commonly used in the treatment of headaches and stomach pains in the 1800’s

SettingA nameless Italian city in an unspecified year (possibly in the 18th century)

Topics:RevengeMadnessFriendship

Carnival takes places prior to the start of the Lenten season (similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans).

Lent is when people give up various pleasures - including drinking alcohol.

Also during this time, people will typically wear masks and costumes They dance and drink on the streets as a

“last hurrah” before giving up meat and other pleasures to do penance for their sins.

http://www.phototravels.net/venice/ivp/italy-venice-p-51.html

Catacombs = long, winding underground tunnels. Early Christians would bury their dead

in these locations Suitable for burial because these

underground locales were dark and cool For the purposes of “The Cask of

Amontillado”, catacombs are also suitable for the safekeeping of alcohol.

Poe chooses to convey the story through the murderer's perspective.

This story, along with many others of Poe’s, are classic examples of the reliable vs. unreliable narrator.Reliable = ?Unreliable = ?