English 9HMs. Bugasch

December 10, 2013“B” Day

Goals 1. To introduce “The Cask of

Amontillado”2. To introduce and review Vocabulary

Unit #6

FFWTake out homework: Vocab. Unit #6 Pass out “Cask of Amontillado” vocabulary Answer the following question in your notebook:

1. What is the worst type of revenge to seek for a person? Physical? Emotional? Psychological? Other? Explain and defend your answer.

Homework Review• Review Vocab. Unit #6 –

Completing the Sentence

Setting and Background• Much of the action in the story takes place in catacombs• These long passageways and side tunnels stretch out like cities of the dead• Many wealthy European families held funerals in catacombs beneath the

manor• The dead were then laid to rest, surrounded by the bones of their

ancestors• Most extensive known catacombs are found outside Rome• The story takes place in a nameless Italian city in an unspecified year

(probably in the 18th century) • The story begins around dusk, one evening during the carnival season

(similar to the Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans) in an unnamed European city.

• The location quickly changes from the lighthearted activities associated with such a festival to the damp, dark catacombs under Montresor's palazzo which helps to establish the sinister atmosphere of the story.

Characters

• Although several characters are mentioned in this story, the true focus lies upon Montresor, the diabolical narrator of this tale of horror, who pledges revenge upon Fortunato for an insult.

• When the two meet during the carnival season, there is a warm greeting with excessive shaking of hands which Montresor attributes to the fact that Fortunato had been drinking. Montresor also appears to be "happy" to see Fortunato since he is planning to murder him. Fortunato's clown or jester's costume appears to be appropriate not only for the carnival season but also for the fact that Montresor intends to make a "fool" out of him.

Theme• "The Cask of Amontillado" is a powerful tale of

revenge. Montresor, the sinister narrator of this tale, pledges revenge upon Fortunato for an insult. Montresor intends to seek vengeance in support of his family motto

Point of View • Poe writes this story from the perspective of Montresor who

vows revenge against Fortunato in an effort to support his time-honored family motto: "Nemo me impune lacessit" or "No one assails me with impunity." (No one can attack me without being punished .)

• Poe does not intend for the reader to sympathize with Montresor because he has been wronged by Fortunato, but rather to judge him.

• Telling the story from Montresor's point of view, intensifies the effect of moral shock and horror. Once again, the reader is invited (as was the case in "The Tell-Tale Heart") to delve into the inner workings of a sinister mind.

Literary Elements

• Mood- the mood of a work of literature is the primary feeling that the reader experiences while reading it.

• In “The Cask of Amontillado”, Edgar Allan Poe carefully chooses words and details to create a mood of eerie suspense. • Ex/ “We passed through a range of low arches,

descended, passed on, and descending again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.”

• Description- a portrait painted in words of a person, place, or object.

– In the story, description creates the eerie mood

Reading Strategy: Breaking Down Confusing Sentences

• When you approach Poe’s writing, you may need to break down confusing

sentences.

I = Narrator He = Fortunato

• To do this:» Read sentences in meaningful sections, not word by

word. » Figure out the subject– who or what the sentence is

about. Then, determine what the sentence is saying about that subject.

» Rearrange, change, or take out words to make the sentence clearer.

Introducing the Selection“The Cask of Amontillado”

• 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?

“The Cask of Amontillado”Literary Focus: Unreliable Narrator

• 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.

• Sometimes, writers purposely use an unreliable narrator, a narrator who does not tell the truth

• Like people in general, an unreliable narrator- May not know the whole truth or may

choose to deceive us

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 – Tone- attitude

Unreliable Narrator • Read the following passage. What clues indicate that the

narrator may be unreliable?

Ex./ 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 have been killed!

I dropped my cell phone, and leaned on my horn. He ignored me like he had 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 could not believe it!

Listen closely to the following passage from the story…What hints that the narrator may not be reliable?

“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.”

“The Cask of Amontillado”: Reading focus- drawing conclusions

• When you read, act like a detective • You gather evidence and draw conclusions, or make decisions

based on that evidence • To decide if Poe is a reliable narrator, look closely at

• What the narrator says and does• What Fortunato, the narrator’s enemy, says and does

Find it in your reading.. • Poe carefully uses language to create a portrait of the

story’s narrator.

“It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my goodwill. I continued, as was my want, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the though of his immolation.”

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

“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 posting them online at School Rack

Homework1. Vocabulary Unit #6 – Completing

the Sentence 2. Do worksheets – Reading Strategies 3. Schoolrack