“The Cask of Amontillado”
1.
NAME ____________________
What is an unreliable narrator?
Drawing Conclusions
2. What is the mood of the story? Identify eight (8) keywords that help establish the mood and
explain why they are significant.
MOOD = ____________________________________________________________________
WORD
SIGNIFICANCE
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19. How do the narrator’s opening statements suggest he is over-reacting?
20. Notice how the narrator secretively schemes for revenge. Explain how this is a normal, or
abnormal, reaction for someone who has been insulted.
21. What does the narrator’s smiling at the thought of Fortunato’s death tell you about his character?
22. Why is the narrator glad to see Fortunato?
23. How does the narrator lure Fortunato to his palace?
24. What does the narrator’s strategy tell you about him?
“The Cask of Amontillado”
NAME ____________________
25. What does the narrator’s attitude toward his servants reveal about this view of humanity?
26. What is bizarre about the narrator’s reference to Fortunato as his “poor friend”?
27. How could the Montressor’s coat of arms and motto be seen as a warning for Fortunato?
28. Why does Montressor profess concern for Fortunato’s health? How does it suggest Montressor
is an unreliable narrator?
29. Why might Montressor be carrying a trowel? What are his plans?
30. What can you conclude about Montressor’s state of mind when he stops his work to enjoy
Fortunato’s cries?
31-35. Constructed Response: Do you think Montressor’s “heart grew sick” because of the
dampness or for some other reason? Support your conclusions with evidence from the text.
“The Cask of Amontillado”
NAME ____________________
Vocabulary Practice:
Choose the best vocabulary word to replace each underlined word or phrase.
1.
The criminals knew they could operate with no fear of punishment. 36.(__________________)
2. A whole series 37.(__________________) of lawyers had struggled 38.(__________________)
in vain to prove that he was an accessory to the crime.
3. The defense lawyer felt that the public’s desire for revenge 39.(___________________) ruled
out the possibility of 40.(_____________________) acquittal.
4. Although the state argued that the man’s expert knowledge 41.(_____________________) of art
proved his guilt, the jury was unyielding 42.(_____________________) in rejecting the
argument.
5. Shrinking away 43.(__________________) the crime scene photos, the witness testified that the
destruction 44.(___________________) of the museum was the act of a lone criminal.
6. If I can do a task myself, I’d rather not presume 45.(__________________) upon the kindness of
others to do it for me.