1. The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
Feature Menu
Introducing the Story
Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator
Reading Skills: Drawing Conclusions

2. The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge

3. The Cask of Amontillado Introducing the Story
Lured away from the festivities of carnival by the promise of a fine wine, Fortunato takes an ill-fated journey into the depths of Montresor’s family catacombs.
Are you willing to follow along as Fortunato is led through the dark, dank tunnels by a madman bent on revenge?
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4. The Cask of Amontillado Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator
Writers sometimes assume a persona—a mask or a voice for a first-person narrator.
When you read a story told by a first-person narrator, always ask yourself if you can trust the narrator.

5. The Cask of Amontillado Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator
An unreliable narrator may not always know the whole truth or may purposely choose to deceive us.
To determine whether a narrator is reliable or not, pay attention to his or her
actions
diction—word choice
statements
tone—attitude
voice—distinctive style of speaking
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6. The Cask of Amontillado Reading Skills: Drawing Conclusions
When you read a story, 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
at what Fortunato, the narrator’s enemy, says
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7. The Cask of Amontillado Background
Centuries ago, Christians in Italy buried their dead in catacombs—long, winding underground tunnels. Later, wealthy families built private catacombs beneath their homes. Dark and cool, these chambers were suitable not only for burial but also for the storage of fine wines, such as amontillado. Poe’s story is set during carnival, which is celebrated before the start of Lent, the season during which Christians give up various pleasures. During carnival, many people wear costumes and dance in the streets.
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8. Quickwrite

9. The Cask of Amontillado Quickwrite
Make the Connection
Edgar Allan Poe was a master at writing stories of revenge. What experiences could lead someone to seek revenge? How could an obsession with vengeance lead to tragedy? Jot down your responses, and include examples from stories or movies.
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10. Vocabulary

11. The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary
precluded v.: made impossible in advance; prevented.
impunity n.: freedom from punishment or harm.
retribution n.: punishment.
immolation n.: destruction.
connoisseurship n.: expert knowledge.
impose v. (used with upon): take advantage of.

12. The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary
recoiling v. used as adj.: moving backward, as in fear.
endeavored v.: tried.
obstinate adj.: stubborn.
succession n.: series.

13. The Cask of Amontillado Vocabulary
Vocabulary Activity
Choose the best vocabulary word to replace each underlined word or phrase.
retribution succession impunity precluded endeavored
1. The criminals thought that they could operate with no fear of punishment.
2. A whole series of lawyers had struggled to prove that he was guilty of the crime.
3. The defense lawyer felt that the public’s desire for revenge ruled out the possibility of acquittal.
impunity
succession; endeavored
retribution; precluded
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14. Meet the Writer

15. The Cask of Amontillado Meet the Writer
Edgar Allan Poe was born in 1809 to traveling actors. His father deserted the family, and Poe’s mother died before Edgar was three. Poe was taken in as a foster child by the wealthy and childless Allan family of Richmond. However, he later fell out of favor with his foster father and was left penniless.
Poe wrote regularly and his works were successful with the public. Conservative critics, though, mocked Poe’s unusual poems and stories.
More About the Writer
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