Elements of Fiction
Who is the antagonist of the story?
Who is Fortunato?
Who owns the catacombs where the two characters eventually end up?
Who is Montresor?
This item of Fortunato's costume symbolizes foolishness and deception.
What is a jester's or fool's cap?
This theme is central as Montresor exacts his plot against Fortunato.
What is revenge?
Montresor informs the reader that he had endured "A thousand injuries" from Fortunato. "A thousand injuries" is an example of what?
What is hyperbole?
Who is the protagonist of the story?
Who is Montresor?
What does Montresor use to convince Fortunato to go with him to another location?
What is Amontillado Wine?
Fortunato's name symbolizes this contrast between what his name suggests and what ultimately happens to him.
What is the irony that he is not fortunate at all?
The motto "Nemo me impune lacessit" translates to this concept crucial to the story.
What is impunity?
Montresor refers to Fortunato's eyes as "Two Filmy Orbs." What device is this?
What is metaphor?
What is the exposition of the story?
What is getting revenge for unspecified insult?
Where is Montresor leading Fortunato?
What is the Catacombs?
The cask of Amontillado itself symbolizes this broader theme and Montresor's plot.
What is a lure or bait?
The story explores how people pretend to be friends to hide harmful intentions, showing this theme about trust.
What is deception (or false friendship)?
Montresor tells the reader the bells on Fortunato's hat "Jingled." The word "Jingled" is an example of what?
What is onomatopoeia?
What is the resolution of the story?
What is sealing the wall on Fortunato?
What is the substance that grows all over the catacombs?
What is Nitre?
The deeper Montresor and Fortunato walk into the catacombs, the more they symbolize this psychological descent.
What is a descent into madness or evil?
Symbolically, this theme is shown by Fortunato's costume as a fool.
What is irony?
Fortunato's reference to being a mason (freemason) is an example of this literary device?
What is allusion?
What is the climax of the story?
What is Montresor chains Fortunato to the wall?
Where does the story first take place?
What is the Carnival?
Each brick Montresor lays symbolizes this slow and inevitable outcome for Fortunato.
What is the sealing of his fate?
Poe uses the underground setting and dim torchlight to explore this theme involving psychological and literal darkness.
What is the fear of the unknown?
Montresor tells Fortunato that the niter "hangs like moss upon the vaults." This is an example of which literary device?
What is simile?