Cask of Amontillado Intro Notes

MOOD – The emotion(s) you feel while reading. Setting, objects, details, images, & words all contribute toward creating a specific mood.

AmontilladoAmontillado- a - a dry wine from dry wine from

SpainSpain

CaskCask- a - a container to container to hold liquidhold liquid

“…“…but when he but when he ventured upon ventured upon insult, I vowed insult, I vowed

revenge.”revenge.”

“The Cask of “The Cask of Amontillado” is Amontillado” is the narrator’s the narrator’s

story of his ability story of his ability to carry out a to carry out a chilling plot of chilling plot of

revenge against revenge against his offender. his offender.

“…“…but when he but when he ventured upon ventured upon insult, I vowed insult, I vowed

revenge.”revenge.”

“The Cask of “The Cask of Amontillado” is Amontillado” is the narrator’s the narrator’s

story of his ability story of his ability to carry out a to carry out a chilling plot of chilling plot of

revenge against revenge against his offender. his offender.

Unreliable Unreliable NarratorNarratorUnreliable Unreliable NarratorNarrator

-1-1stst person narrator that for some reason person narrator that for some reason tells an incorrect version of the storytells an incorrect version of the story

-Usually the reader trusts that the narrator -Usually the reader trusts that the narrator is giving an accurate version of the story. is giving an accurate version of the story.

-With a U.N. the reader can’t trust the -With a U.N. the reader can’t trust the narrator.narrator.

-1-1stst person narrator that for some reason person narrator that for some reason tells an incorrect version of the storytells an incorrect version of the story

-Usually the reader trusts that the narrator -Usually the reader trusts that the narrator is giving an accurate version of the story. is giving an accurate version of the story.

-With a U.N. the reader can’t trust the -With a U.N. the reader can’t trust the narrator.narrator.

Reasons a narrator may be Reasons a narrator may be unreliable:unreliable:

The narrator…The narrator…• may be a different age than may be a different age than

the people in the story, such the people in the story, such as a child attempting to as a child attempting to explain adult actionsexplain adult actions

• may have prejudices about may have prejudices about race, class or genderrace, class or gender

• may have low intelligencemay have low intelligence• may suffer from mental may suffer from mental

illness or a personality illness or a personality disorderdisorder

• may be trying to hurt one of may be trying to hurt one of the characters due to a the characters due to a grudgegrudge

CarnivalCarnival

CarnivalCarnivalCarnivalCarnival• CarnivalCarnival is a secular holiday; evolved is a secular holiday; evolved

from the Christian observance known as from the Christian observance known as Lent.Lent.

• Lent is a solemn 40-day period of Lent is a solemn 40-day period of fasting priorfasting prior

to Easter.to Easter.

What happens during What happens during Carnival?Carnival?

• CarnivalCarnival is a time of EXCESS and INDULGENCE. is a time of EXCESS and INDULGENCE.• Binging upon food and alcohol is common.Binging upon food and alcohol is common.• Partying in the streets and masquerading are Partying in the streets and masquerading are

enjoyed.enjoyed.

The combination of alcohol and The combination of alcohol and costumes creates an atmosphere costumes creates an atmosphere

where people tend to let down where people tend to let down their inhibitions.their inhibitions.

European Carnival traditions European Carnival traditions survive in the United States survive in the United States in the form of Mardi Gras.in the form of Mardi Gras.

““The Cask of Amontillado” is set The Cask of Amontillado” is set during the “during the “supreme madnesssupreme madness” ”

of Carnival. of Carnival.

In such a riotous atmosphere, it In such a riotous atmosphere, it is easy to see how a crime could is easy to see how a crime could

go unnoticedgo unnoticed..

The narrator plans for his The narrator plans for his revenge to take place in revenge to take place in the catacombs beneath the catacombs beneath

his estate.his estate.

What are What are catacombscatacombs??

CatacombsCatacombs: Cities of the : Cities of the DeadDead

In Europe, catacombs, In Europe, catacombs, underground burial chambers, underground burial chambers, became popular alternatives to became popular alternatives to

cemeteries.cemeteries.

The wealthy could opt for The wealthy could opt for family catacombs beneath family catacombs beneath

their estates.their estates.