“The Cask of Amontillado” Class Notes

Short Answer Steps & Example

Plot Diagram

PLOT DIAGRAM

Characterization

Characterization is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. Characterization is revealed through direct characterization and indirect characterization.

Direct Characterization

Direct characterization tells the audience what the personality of the character is.

Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well-mannered and did not obey their mother.”

The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.”

Indirect Characterization

Indirect characterization shows things that reveal the personality of a character. There are five methods of indirect characterization:

Speech What does the character say? How does the character speak?

Thoughts What is revealed through the character’s most private thoughts and feelings?

Effect on others toward the character

What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?

Actions What does the character do? How does the character behave?

Looks What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

Montresor and Fortunato

Literary Device Hunt

You have five minutes with a partner to find as many examples of literary devices as you can in

“The Cask of Amontillado.”

Ironythe expression of one's meaning by using language

that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

Types of Irony:

Verbal: implies a different meaning to what is actually said

Dramatic: the audience is aware of something that the characters in the story are not aware of.

Situational: a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens.

Irony in “Cask of Amontillado”

“I drink to the buried that repose around us!”“and I to your long life!”

“I shall not die of a cough!”

“True, True.”

“the supreme madness of the carnival”“The man wore motley”

PunThe humorous use of a word or phrase to emphasize

or suggest its different meanings or applications.

?

Pun in “Cask of Amontillado”

versus

ForeshadowingThe author’s use of hints at future events to come in

the story.

Foreshadowing in “The Cask of Amontillado”

“I must not only punish, but punish with impunity”

“the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me”

“producing a trowel from beneath the folds of my roquelaure”

Point of ViewThe narrator’s position in relation to the story

being told.

First Person Point of ViewIn the first person point of view, the narrator does participate in the action of the story. When reading stories in the first person, we need to realize that what the narrator is recounting might not be the objective truth. We should question the trustworthiness of the accounting.

Third Person Point of ViewHere the narrator does not participate in the action of the story as one of the characters, but lets us know exactly how the characters feel. We learn about the characters through this outside voice.

Omniscient and Limited Omniscient Points of ViewA narrator who knows everything about all the characters is all knowing, or omniscient. A narrator whose knowledge is limited to one character has a limited omniscient point of view.

Point of View

Is Montresor a reliable narrator? Can we trust what he’s saying?

What evidence from the text proves your position?

Constructing a Short Answer

Thesis – answer the question using words from the prompt.

Evidence – provide multiple quotes proving your answer.

Analysis – explain your answer in more depth.

Significant Connection – connect your answer to a larger audience or to the theme of the passage.

Short AnswerNo matter what you call it, it’s the same strategy!

T.E.A.S. Thesis Evidence Analysis Significant

connection

A.C.E.S. Answer Cite Explain Significant

connection

Think of a short answer this way:

IT’S ONLY HALF OF A BODY PARAGRAPH!

Hey Look, A Body Paragraph!

Though he committed horrific atrocities throughout his time with the military, Ishmael’s true healing and transition to adulthood takes place at the rehabilitation center when he is able to forgive himself. Esther repeatedly reminds Ishmael that “none of these things are [his] fault,” and those simple words “lightened [his] burdensome memories” about the violence of his past (Beah 165). Everyone has regrets, moments of guilt or pain that we have inflicted on others that we wish we could take back. No one is perfect, but growing up is being able to let go of the past and move towards a better future. Ishmael is not “immune from the guilt” of his past, but he feels relief when the forgiveness “finally [begins] to sink in to [his] mind and heart” (Beah 165). Wallowing in self-pity is not a productive past time. Sometimes you have to make a choice to shift your way of thinking in order to see long term change. When Ishmael owns his flaws but forgives himself anyway, he matures into a young man who is able to help others. Topic sentence, blended quote, analysis

(x2), blended quote, analysis (x2), concluding

sentence

Hey Look, A Short Answer!

Though he committed horrific atrocities throughout his time with the military, Ishmael’s true healing and transition to adulthood takes place at the rehabilitation center when he is able to forgive himself. Esther repeatedly reminds Ishmael that “none of these things are [his] fault,” and those simple words “lightened [his] burdensome memories” about the violence of his past (Beah 165). Everyone has regrets, moments of guilt or pain that we have inflicted on others that we wish we could take back. No one is perfect, but growing up is being able to let go of the past and move towards a better future.

Topic sentence, blended quote, analysis (x2)

In “The Cask of Amontillado,” how does Montresor’s use of irony provide insight into his character? Use evidence from the story to support your answer.

In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor’s use of verbal irony reveals his disturbed mindset. When leading Fortunato to his demise, Montresor toasts “to [Fortunato’s] long life” (375). Even though Montresor pretends to care about Fortunato’s health, he truly only smiles “at the thought of his immolation” (372). Montresor’s verbal irony reveals his two-faced and manipulative nature. Only a truly disturbed mind would wish death upon their supposed friend. Without verbal irony, the reader would be left in the dark as to Montresor’s duplicitous intentions and reasons for wanting Fortunato dead.

CLASS SHORT ANSWER SAMPLE

Try this prompt on your own

In “The Cask of Amontillado,” how does Poe use foreshadowing to enhance the story? Use evidence from the story to support your answer.

(Hint: You are not defining foreshadowing here! Think a bit harder than “it gives us clues about what’s coming.”)