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THE
CASK OF |
by Edgar
Allan Poe |
|
THE
CASK OF |
by Edgar
Allan Poe |
The Story |
Questions and Comments |
| At the most remote end of the crypt there
appeared another less spacious 4.1. Its walls had been lined with human
remains, piled to the vault overhead, in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris.
Three sides of this interior crypt were still ornamented in this manner. From the fourth
the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point
a mound of some size. Within the wall thus exposed by the displacing of the bones, we
perceived a still interior recess, in depth about four feet, in width three, in height six
or seven. It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use within itself, but formed
merely the interval between two of the colossal supports of the roof of the catacombs, and
was backed by one of their circumscribing walls of solid granite. 4.2 It was in vain that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch, endeavored to pry into the depth of the recess. Its termination the feeble light did not enable us to see. "Proceed," I said; "herein is the Amontillado. As for Luchesi--" 4.3 "He is an ignoramus," interrupted my friend, as he stepped unsteadily forward, while I followed immediately at his heels. In an instant he had reached the extremity of the niche, and finding his progress arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered. A moment more and I had fettered him to the granite. In its surface were two iron staples, distant from each other about two feet, horizontally. From one of these depended a short chain, from the other a padlock. Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to secure it. He was too much astounded to resist. Withdrawing the key I stepped back from the recess. "Pass your hand," I said, "over the wall; you cannot help feeling the nitre. Indeed, it is very damp. Once more let me implore you to return. 4.4 No? Then I must positively leave you. But I must first render you all the little attentions in my power." "The Amontillado!" ejaculated my friend, not yet recovered from his astonishment. "True," I replied; "the Amontillado." 4.5 As I said these words I busied myself among the pile of bones of which I have before spoken. Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar. With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche. 4.6 I had scarcely laid the first tier of the masonry when I discovered that the intoxication of Fortunato had in a great measure worn off. The earliest indication I had of this was a low moaning cry from the depth of the recess. It was not the cry of a drunken man. There was then a long and obstinate silence 4.7. I laid the second tier, and the third, and the fourth; and then I heard the furious vibrations of the chain. The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my labors and sat down upon the bones 4.8. When at last the clanking subsided, I resumed the trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier. The wall was now nearly upon a level with my breast. I again paused, and holding the flambeaux over the mason-work, threw a few feeble rays upon the figure within. 4.9 |
4.1 Notice where the narrator
and Fortunato are now: at "the most remote end of the crypt" in the "inmost
recesses" of the "extensive" catacombs. Why this setting?
4.5 "True" seems an odd response to Fortunato's "The Amontillado!" Why do you think the narrator responds in this way?
4.6 Obviously, the narrator has carefully prepared this scene, but why do you think the narrator kept his trowel with him and did not bury it under the bones with the other materials?
4.8 What is your reaction to this comment by the narrator?
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Page designed by Randy
Rambo, English Instructor |
