Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” gives us a glimpse into
the mind of a murderer. Montresor, the narrator, thinks he has
outsmarted everyone, but if we pay close attention to the symbolism and
foreshadowing in the story, we can ascertain the fate that awaits
Fortunato and also learn quite a bit about Montresor’s duplicitous
personality. Symbolism and foreshadowing are commonly used in literature
to prepare readers for what is coming or to help readers make
surprising connections. Identifying symbols and making connections not
only helps us become better readers, it can also help us become better
readers of our experiences at work and at home.
Assignment Instructions
After
you’ve reviewed the instructional materials in the module and you’ve
read “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, please create a
document to submit in which you will respond to the following prompts.
Please incorporate specific evidence from the story (direct quotes and
summary) to support your answers.
Identify
the structural elements of the story’s plot: (a) exposition; (b) rising
action; (c) climax; (d) falling action; and (e) denouement (also known
as the resolution). You must incorporate specific evidence from the
story (direct quotes and summary) to support your identification of each
element of the story’s plot.
Identify the setting
(time and place) of the story and what seems most significant about it.
You must incorporate specific evidence from the story (direct quotes
and summary) to support your answer. Hint: this story takes place in two
distinct locations.
Identify the narrative point of view used
in the story. You must incorporate specific evidence from the story
(direct quotes and summary) to support your answer.
Identify
the type of narrator who tells the story. You must incorporate specific
evidence from the story (direct quotes and summary) to support your
answer.
Name the characters in the story and identify each
character’s type (protagonist, antagonist, minor, flat, static, round,
dynamic). You must incorporate specific evidence from the story (direct
quotes and summary) to support your answer.
Identify at least
two symbols in the story and what they might be symbolic of. You must
incorporate specific evidence from the story (direct quotes and summary)
to support your answer.
Identify at least two instances of
foreshadowing that occur in the story and explain what development in
the story is being hinted at by each one. You must incorporate specific
evidence from the story (direct quotes and summary) to support your
answer.
What do you think the theme of the story is?
Remember, themes in literature should be consistent with all literary
aspects of the story.
In high quality literature, all aspects
of a story usually work together to create unity and coherence. In Edgar
Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” the story’s settings, much of
the story’s dialogue, its symbolism, and the foreshadowing Poe uses help
give us a deeper understanding of Montresor. Look closely at these
elements (setting, dialogue, symbolism, and foreshadowing) in the story
to explicate your understanding of Montresor. In looking closely at the
setting, dialogue, symbolism, and foreshadowing in this story, even
though the story is not very long, we get a full picture of Montresor.
What kind of person is he? What makes him tick? What sets him off.
What’s important to him? What does he value?
Assignment Requirements
Citation Requirements: only Poe’s story
No outside research is required
Word Count: 600 word minimum
Formatting:
A
numbered list of answers is required. Please do not answer in one
continuous piece of writing because this makes it difficult to assess
your treatment and understanding of each individual prompt. You do not
need to copy the questions or create graceful transitions between each
of your numbered responses. You do not need a title page.
Plagiarism Submission
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