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The Cask of Amontillado

Page history last edited by William Patrick Wend 9 years, 7 months ago

 


Biography

  • Only lived 40 years 1809-1849

  • Part of the Gothic Romanticist movement in the 19th century...much of it was a defiant reaction to trancendentalism

  • One of the first writers of detective fiction  

  • Along with writers like Mary Shelley he is also considered a proto science fiction writer by some

  • Most know The Raven

  • Other short stories like The Tell Tale Heart and MS Found In A Bottle and The Murders in the Rue Morgue (not to be confused with Iron Maiden)

  • Also wrote a novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket (read in graduate school...i liked it...others HATED it...Borges loved it...most people don't seem to know it even exists........Jules Verne wrote a sequel even...  


Questions

  • According to the definition of revenge provided by Montresor at the beginning of the story [“A wrong is unredressed when….”], explain whether or not you think he achieves his goal. What is he really searching for? What does he ultimately get? Should he be satisfied? Would you be? What do we know of Fortunato’s actions toward Montresor? What do you think Fortunato is guilty of? Was his punishment warranted?  
  • Was punishment warranted? Why?

  • A thousand injuries...?

  • How does the lack of details change the story?

  • What kind of narration is this?

  • Explain the strategy used by the narrator to lure his victim to his death.  How does his understanding of human nature affect this?

  • Is the narrator reliable?  How can you tell?  Is the ending reliable? 

  • Who is the narrator telling his tale of revenge to?

  • Why wait 50 years? (Deathbed confession?)

  • Why would he still want him around (remorse?  Power!?!) 

  • What is the role of the carnival? What do we know about it?

  • "Rest In Peace" at the end could mean there is nothing left to do and that the debt is over... 

  • Is he a serial killer or is this his only kill? 

 

Analysis

  • The reason Montresor killed Fortunato was because he "added insult to injury," but it's not clear what the insult or injury was...
  • Could it be over jealousy or family rivalry?
  • Montresor wants him to feel worse than he did
  • Trying to regain respect and control justice...but he couldn't get past the insult... 
  • Never confronts Fortunato
  • Seems like it was planned: had the chains and bricks ready in crypt
  • Kills and frightens Fortunato to show him who is in control 
  • Is this a family tradition?

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