THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO 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 ReadingMarking 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 easygoinggait.

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 ReadingMarking 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 ReadingMarking 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?