The Tell-Tale Heart
Who is Author of the Tell-Tale Heart?
Edgar Allan Poe
What does Montresor want from Fortunato, and why?
Revenge for insults Fortunato made against Montresor.
What perspective are BOTH stories written in?
The author's perspective, OR first-person.
Acute
Having/showing a strong understanding/insight.
"His room was as black as pitch" - Tell-Tale Heart
Simile
How did the narrator kill the old man?
He dragged him off the bed, pulled the mattress over his body, and suffocated him.
Where does Montresor lead Fortunato, and why?
Into the Catacombs, so there is no witnesses.
In The Tell-Tale Heart, is our narrator's perspective reliable?
No because he claims sanity, but shows traits of insanity and has an irrational view of reality.
Vex
To make someone feel annoyed, worried, or frustrated.
"He turned towards me, and looked into my eyes with two filmy orbs that distilled the rheum of intoxication". - The Cask of Amontillado
Metaphor
Why didn't the narrator kill the old man for the first 7 days?
He was asleep, and couldn't see the old man's eye.
How is Fortunato lured farther, and farther into the Catacombs?
He is lured with the promise of Amontillado. On his way, he keeps drinking wine (Medoc) to 'protect himself from the damp'.
In The Cask of Amontillado, is our narrator's perspective reliable?
Not quite! He refuses to address the specific injuries, and leave out important details behind his ideas of revenge.
Impunity
Exemption from legal harm, punishment, or consequences for a wrongdoing.
“‘I drink,’ he said, ‘to the buried that repose around us.’
‘And I to your long life.’” - The Cask of Amontillado
Irony
Why did the narrator want to kill the old man?
He wanted to get rid of his vexing "vulture eye".
How does Montresor kill Fortunato?
When drunk, Montresor chains Fortunato into an Alcove, and builds up the wall in front of him, leaving him to die.
How does the narrator's perspectives add to the tone/mood of the story?
Tell-Tale Heart: Heightens the frantic, mad, and chaotic tones expressed.
Cask of Amontillado: Shows Montresor's arrogance towards his plans 'perfect execution'.
Dissimulation
Concealment of thoughts, feelings, or personality.
"I heard all things in heaven and earth". - The Tell-Tale Heart
Hyperbole
Why did the narrator confess?
His guilt overtook him, and he felt everyone else could hear the heartbeat.
Why is Luchesi an important character in the text?
Montresor refers to Luchesi and his wine knowledge to hurt Fortunato's ego. This is in hopes it will be easier to lure him in.
What are the narrator's motivations for retelling the story?
Tell-Tale Heart: To prove his actions were of extreme intelligence, rather than insanity. Also to relieve guilt.
Cask of Amontillado: To prove his revenge was justified, and provide closure 50 years later.
Connoiseur
An expert in the knowledge of something.
"I heard the furious vibrations of the chain". - The Cask of Amontillado
Personification