Cask of amontillado

The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe

Introducing the Selection

Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator

Reading Focus: Drawing Conclusions

Writing Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer

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The Cask of Amontillado Introducing the Selection

Who has a bigger effect on your life—friends or enemies?

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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?

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.

The Cask of Amontillado Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator

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 AmontilladoLiterary 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 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!

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!

The Cask of Amontillado Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator

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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.

Listen closely to the following passage from the story.

What clues hint that the narrator may not be reliable?

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.


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?

Into Action: Keep track of specific details to help you draw conclusions about the story’s narrator.


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“The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could. . . .”

The narrator may be imagining that Fortunato has mistreated him.

Fortunato joins the narrator and treats him as a friend.

What the Narrator Says and Does

What Fortunato Says and Does

My Conclusions

Into Action: Conclusions About Montresor’s Reliability

Find It in Your Reading

The Cask of Amontillado Writing Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer

Poe carefully uses language to create a portrait of the story’s narrator.

As you read, collect other examples of words and phrases that help reveal the narrator’s personality.

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.

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TechFocus

The Cask of Amontillado Writing Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer

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.

impose v.: (used with upon) take advantage of.

implore v.: beg.

retribution n.: punishment for a wrong; justice; revenge.

obstinate adj.: stubborn.

The Cask of AmontilladoVocabulary

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?

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?

a. Her parents will ask whether she enjoyed herself.

b. Her parents will have nothing to say to her.

c. Her parents will complain and then punish her.


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?

a. Her parents will ask whether she enjoyed herself.

b. Her parents will have nothing to say to her.

c. Her parents will complain and then punish her.


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?

In retribution for getting kicked off the team, Jenna started a nasty rumor about her coach.


Why did Jenna start the rumor?

a. She wanted to get attention.

b. She wanted revenge.

c. She thought it would be funny.


If your classmate repeatedly asks for help with her

homework, she may be imposing upon you.

Have you ever felt imposed upon by someone?

What made his or her behavior an imposition?

You may have helped her once or twice, but she appears to be taking advantage of your generosity.


Robert imposed upon us by

offering to help us move.

Is imposed the best word choice in the following sentence?


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 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.


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?

a. eager

b. uninterested

c. hesitant


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?


Sarah thought her mother was being obstinate: She had refused to let Sarah go out until her room was clean.

Is the word obstinate used correctly in the following sentence?


Is the word obstinate used correctly in the following sentence?

Sarah probably thought her mother was being stubborn by making her clean the room before going out. Obstinate is used correctly.

Sarah thought her mother was being obstinate: She had refused to let Sarah go out until her room was clean.

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Cask of amontillado

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