|
THE
CASK OF |
by Edgar
Allan Poe |
|
THE
CASK OF |
by Edgar
Allan Poe |
The Story |
Questions and Comments |
| A succession of loud and shrill screams,
bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust me violently back.
For a brief moment I hesitated--I trembled 5.1. Unsheathing my rapier, I
began to grope with it about the recess: but the thought of an instant reassured me 5.2.
I placed my hand upon the solid fabric of the catacombs, and felt satisfied 5.3.
I reapproached the wall. I replied to the yells of him who clamored. I re-echoed--I
aided--I surpassed them in volume and in strength. I did this, and the clamorer grew
still. 5.4 It was now midnight, and my task was drawing to a close 5.5. I had completed the eighth, the ninth, and the tenth tier. I had finished a portion of the last and the eleventh; there remained but a single stone to be fitted and plastered in. I struggled with its weight; I placed it partially in its destined position. But now there came from out the niche a low laugh that erected the hairs upon my head 5.6. It was succeeded by a sad voice, which I had difficulty in recognising as that of the noble Fortunato 5.7. The voice said-- "Ha! ha! ha!--he! he!--a very good joke indeed--an excellent jest. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo--he! he! He!--over our wine --he! he! he!" 5.8 "The Amontillado!" I said. 5.9 "He! he! he!--he! he! he!--yes, the Amontillado. But is it not getting late? Will not they be awaiting us at the palazzo, the Lady Fortunato and the rest? Let us be gone." 5.10 "Yes," I said, "let us be gone." 5.11 "For the love of God, Montresor!" "Yes," I said, "for the love of God!" 5.12 But to these words I hearkened in vain for a reply. I grew impatient. I called aloud-- "Fortunato!" No answer. I called again-- "Fortunato!" 5.13 No answer still. I thrust a torch through the remaining aperture and let it fall within. There came forth in return only a jingling of the bells 5.14. My heart grew sick--on account of the dampness of the catacombs 5.15. I hastened to make an end of my labor. I forced the last stone into its position; I plastered it up. Against the new masonry I re-erected the old rampart of bones 5.16. For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them 5.17. In pace requiescat! 5.18 The End |
5.1 Why does the
narrator "hesitate" and "tremble"? And why does he indicate that he
reacted in this way only for "a brief moment"? 5.2 The narrator reveals a fact that he has held back until this point: that he is carrying a rapier. Why might the narrator have a rapier with him? 5.3 How does the narrator "satisfy" and "reassure" himself? 5.4 Why does the narrator "re-echo" and even "surpass" Fortunato's yelling? What effect might the narrator's actions have on Fortunato? 5.5 Why do you think Poe chose "midnight" as the time when the narrator is finishing his task?
5.6 Why does the narrator react this way? 5.7 What effect does the narrator create by referring to Fortunato as "noble" at this point?
5.9 How would you explain this comment from the narrator? 5.10 What might Fortunato be trying to do by mentioning his wife, "the Lady Fortunato," and how she and others will be waiting for them? 5.11 The narrator knows that "they" (Fortunato and he) will not be going, so why does he respond in this way? 5.12 What might the narrator mean by this echoing of Fortunato's words?
5.13 Why is the narrator becoming "impatient"? 5.14 What effect is created by the "jingling of the bells" at this moment? 5.15 Why does the narrator specify that "the dampness of the catacombs" is what made his heart grow sick? How would you describe the narrator's tone in this sentence? 5.16 Why does the narrator now work quickly to finish his task? 5.17 This is a surprising fact: it has been 50 years since the narrator buried Fortunato alive. Why might the narrator be telling his story now? 5.18 "Rest in Peace" (Latin). Why do you think the narrator ends his story with this phrase? |
Page designed by Randy
Rambo, English Instructor |
