English Assignment

Outline for “The Cask of Amontillado”

I. Introduction

A. Thesis: Through the use of setting, an unreliable narrator, and symbolism, Poe demonstrates how hatred can make somebody think that they are doing the correct deeds.

1. Setting

2. Unreliable narrator

3. Symbolism

B. (Mention other pending source.)

1. Other source of proof

II. Setting

A. The eerie, dark setting makes it easier for Montresor to commit his crime because it gives him the upper hand against Fortunato.

1. “It was about dusk […]” (Poe 739)

2. “stood together on the damp ground of the catacombs of the Montresors” (Poe 740).

3. “We passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling into the innermost recesses of the catacombs” (Poe 741).

4. “arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame” (Poe 742).

III. Unreliable narrator

A. Montresor gives the reader a sense of suspicion when he doesn’t clarify the reasons for his hatred toward Fortunato

1. “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge” (Poe 739).

B. Through his hypocritical actions, Montresor shows the reader that perhaps he is the antagonist and not the victim like he portrays himself.

1. “I continued […] to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation” (Poe 739).

2. “I encountered my friend. He accosted me with […] warmth” (Poe 739).

3. “I was so pleased to see him, that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand” (Poe 739).

4. “’A sign,’ he said. ‘It is this,’ I answered, producing a trowel from beneath the folds of my roquelaire […] replacing the tool beneath the cloak, and again offering him my arm” (Poe 742).

5. “Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to secure it. […] I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche” (Poe 742).

IV. Symbolism

A. The ever-increasing presence of the nitre in the catacombs represents Montresor’s growing evil.

1. “’The nitre.’ I said; ‘see, it increases. It hangs like moss upon the vaults’” (Poe 741).

B. Montresor’s family’s coat of arms describes to perfection his actions toward Fortunato. In fact, it actually seems to give him the power to act that way toward his “friend”.

1. “’A huge human foot d’or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel.’ ‘And the motto?’ ‘[No one wounds me with impunity]’” (Poe 741).

V. Outside source

A. (Still pending)

1. (Trying to find supporting research)

VI. Conclusion

A. Include points from every paragraph to close everything out

Works Cited (so far)

Poe, Edgar A. "The Cask of Amontillado." Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading,

Thinking, Writing. By Michael Meyer. 10th ed. Boston :: Bedford Bks St Martin's,

2013. 739-43. Print.