All Flashcards
What motivates Montresor's actions?
A desire for revenge due to perceived insults from Fortunato.
What are Fortunato's key weaknesses?
Pride in his wine expertise and a tendency to drink excessively.
Describe Montresor's personality.
Cunning, manipulative, and vengeful, with a chillingly calm demeanor.
Describe Fortunato's personality.
Arrogant, prideful, and easily manipulated, especially when it comes to wine.
How does Montresor manipulate Fortunato?
By appealing to his pride and using reverse psychology to lure him into the catacombs.
What is significant about Montresor being an unreliable narrator?
His biased perspective shapes the story, making it difficult to know the full truth about Fortunato's actions.
How does Fortunato's costume contribute to his characterization?
His jester costume symbolizes his foolishness and vulnerability, highlighting his role as the 'fool' in Montresor's plan.
What is Montresor's family motto, and how does it relate to his actions?
'Nemo me impune lacessit' (No one attacks me with impunity) justifies his vengeful actions.
How does Fortunato's name contribute to the irony of the story?
His name means 'fortunate' in Italian, which sharply contrasts with his unfortunate fate.
What is Montresor's ultimate goal in seeking revenge?
To punish Fortunato with impunity, ensuring he understands the source of his suffering.
What does the cask of Amontillado symbolize?
It symbolizes the lure or bait used to trap Fortunato, representing his desire and ultimate downfall.
What do the catacombs symbolize?
They symbolize death, confinement, and the dark recesses of Montresor's mind.
What does Fortunato's jester costume symbolize?
It symbolizes his foolishness and vulnerability, making him an easy target for Montresor's revenge.
What does the trowel symbolize?
It symbolizes Montresor's membership in the Masons and his ability to seal Fortunato's fate.
What does the carnival setting symbolize?
It symbolizes chaos, revelry, and a temporary suspension of social norms, creating an opportunity for Montresor's plan.
What does the Montresor family crest (a foot crushing a serpent) symbolize?
It symbolizes revenge and the crushing of enemies, reflecting Montresor's vengeful nature.
What does the nitre (white salt) in the catacombs symbolize?
It symbolizes decay, death, and the unhealthy atmosphere of the catacombs.
What does wine symbolize?
It symbolizes temptation and Fortunato's weakness, which Montresor exploits.
What do the chains symbolize?
They symbolize Fortunato's entrapment and loss of freedom.
What does the act of bricking up the niche symbolize?
It symbolizes Montresor's final act of revenge and the permanent entombment of Fortunato.
What genre is 'The Cask of Amontillado'?
Gothic horror short story.
What narrative perspective is used in 'The Cask of Amontillado'?
First-person perspective, told by the unreliable narrator, Montresor.
How does the short story form contribute to the impact of the narrative?
The brevity and focus intensify the horror and psychological tension.
What elements of Gothic literature are present in the story?
Dark setting, themes of death and decay, psychological torment, and a sense of impending doom.
How does the use of an unreliable narrator affect the reader's understanding of the story?
It creates ambiguity and forces the reader to question Montresor's motives and version of events.
What is the significance of the story's setting in the catacombs?
The catacombs provide a claustrophobic and macabre setting, enhancing the story's horror.
How does Poe use suspense in 'The Cask of Amontillado'?
Through foreshadowing, dramatic irony, and the gradual descent into the catacombs, Poe builds suspense and dread.
What is the role of irony in the story's narrative structure?
Irony, particularly dramatic and situational, heightens the tension and underscores the tragic outcome.
How does the story's ending contribute to its overall effect?
The chilling finality of Fortunato's entombment leaves a lasting impression of horror and moral ambiguity.
What is the impact of the story being told as a confession?
It adds a layer of psychological complexity, as Montresor reveals his dark deed to an unknown listener.