The Cask of Amontillado

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allan Poe masterfully employs suspense and symbolism to create a chilling tale of revenge.

• How does Poe build suspense throughout the story, and what effect does it have on the reader’s experience? (topic sentence)
• Analyze specific examples of suspenseful moments and how they build toward the story’s climax.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, discuss the significance of the suspense in enhancing the theme of Revenge in the story.

2. The narrator, Montresor, embodies the theme of Deception and Devious Calculation as the story unfolds.

• What role does deception play in Montresor’s plot for revenge? (topic sentence)
• Provide examples from the text that reveal how carefully Montresor has planned his revenge and how he deceives Fortunato as he puts the plan into action.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, discuss what Montresor’s actions reveal about his character.

3. The setting plays a crucial role in “The Cask of Amontillado,” adding to the atmosphere and heightening the sense of impending doom.

• Discuss the significance of the carnival setting and its contrast with the dark, claustrophobic catacombs. (topic sentence)
• Analyze how specific details in the setting contribute to the overall mood and tension in the story.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, reflect on how the setting enhances the story’s themes of Revenge and Death and Morbidity.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allan Poe skillfully uses symbolism to convey deeper meaning and enhance the themes of the story. Choose one symbol from the story (e.g., the catacombs, the Amontillado wine) and explain how it represents a specific theme or idea. Cite evidence from the text to support your analysis.

2. The unreliable narrator is a significant element in “The Cask of Amontillado.” Discuss the characteristics and motivations of Montresor. What makes him unreliable in narrating the conflict between himself and Fortunato? What effect does this choice of narrator have on the story? Provide textual evidence to support your claims and analyze the effects of this narrative technique.

3. What makes “The Cask of Amontillado” an example of Gothic horror? Identify specific elements of the story that reflect the Gothic horror genre and explain how each one contributes to the overall impact of the story.