Uppalapati1

Charanya Uppalapati
Mr. Seneca
Honors English I
September 12, 2014

Definitions (15)
1. Impunity - exemption from punishment
2. Immolation - a sacrifice
3. Connoisseurship - a person who is especially competent to pass critical judgments in an art,
particularly one of the fine arts, or in matters of taste
4. Whither - to what place? where?
5. Gesticulation - an animated or excited gesture
6. Ignoramus - an extremely ignorant person
7. Flambeaux - a flaming torch
8. Gait - a manner of walking, stepping, or running.
9. Puncheons - a large cask of varying capacity
10. Fettered - a chain or shackle placed on the feet
11. Implore - to beg urgently or piteously
12. Absconded - to depart in a sudden and secret manner
13. Ejaculated - to utter suddenly and briefly; exclaim
14. Obstinate - characterized by inflexible persistence or an unyielding attitude;
15. Requiescat - a wish or prayer for the repose of the dead
Tone (4)
Passage 1
Quote 1
It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. I
continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the
thought of his immolation.
Explanation

Uppalapati2
This quote comes from the beginning of the story. In this paragraph, the narrator's word choice gives the
story a malicious and cynical tone. The quote I chose states that the narrator wants revenge on Fortunato.
He states that Fortunato believes he is still a loyal friend. This makes it easier for the narrator to lure
Fortunato into a trap. The diction used in the sentence, "he did not perceive that my smile now was at the
thought of his immolation," lets the reader know that Fortunato will be risking his life coming with the
narrator. The reader knows that the story will include a character who will suffer brutally. The word
immolation is an exact denotation. The narrator uses literary devices to tell the reader that Fortunato will
suffer. The narrator describes his smile as cunning and omniscient as if something dangerous will occur
soon.
Passage 2
Quote 2
There were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honour of the time. I had told
them that I should not return until the morning, and had given them explicit orders not to stir from the
house.
Explanation
This quote gives the reader a manipulative and eerie tone. The narrator used reverse psychology to send
his attendants away. He tells them that he will not be home until the next day and that they are not to
leave the house. The narrator knew his attendants would sneak out of empty house and return before he
arrived. The narrator purposefully did this because he wanted the house empty with no witnesses for
when he could get his revenge on Fortunato. The passage uses literary devices such as irony to help the
reader understand the tone. It is ironic that the narrator told his attendants to stay home and that they
ended up sneaking out. The quote makes the reader wonder why the narrator didn't want anyone at home
and what was going to happen to Fortunato. The narrator states exactly how he got his attendants to leave
without actually telling them. The reader gets the feeling that something illegal and creepy will occur
when no one is around to witness it.
Passage 3
Quote 3
It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered
my friend. He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much. The man wore motley.
He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.I
was so pleased to see him, that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand.
Explanation
This quote comes from the beginning of the story when Montresor, the narrator, goes to the carnival and
approached his friend Fortunato. The imagery given in this quote gives the reader an amused and
mocking tone. Montresor describes Fortunato as drunk and dressed as a jester. Even though his friend is
drunk, Montresor is still very excited to see him. The narrator uses various word choices to help the
reader understand the scene and the tone that the author is trying to convey. The narrator uses the words
"motley" and "tight-fitting parti-striped dress" to describe Fortunato. These few words makes the reader
feel light hearted and amused at the thought of a drunk man wearing such an outfit. The narrator uses
these certain words to ridicule Fortunato and to give him very little value. The reader gets the impression
that the narrator is very happy to see his friend. This tone only lasted for a few paragraphs before the story
returned to an eerie and dark tone.
Passage 4
Quote 4
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. No? Then I must positively leave you. But I must first render you all
the little attentions in my power.
Explanation

Uppalapati3
This quote comes from the end of the story. The tone of this quote is ridiculing and cynical. Before this
quote, Montresor chained up Fortunato to the wall. He mocks Forunato by telling him to leave and that
the nitre is causing him to cough. Montresor tells him one last time to leave but Fortunato has no choice
but to stay since he is chained up. The narrator then proceeds to tell him that he would leave him there
forever. The narrator wants the tone of this quote to be malicious. He indicates to the reader that he will
kill Forunato by leaving him there forever. This quote make the reader feel surprised and fearful. The
reader is astonished that Montresor would chain up Fortunato and kill him. The reader does not trust
Montresor anymore and is fearful for Fortunato's death. The narrator uses sentence structure to help create
a mocking tone. He speaks in a continuous and rhythmic flow without stopping to let Fortunato interject.
The quote "No? Then I must positively leave you," shows the reader that the narrator is ridiculing
Forunato. Montresor did not pause to let Fortunato answer his question because he knew Fortunato had no
choice but to stay and die.
Paragraph
The overall tone of tone of the narrator is mysterious, disturbing, and horrifying. Montresor
described seeking vengeance on Forunato, but he never clearly stated what Forunato did to receive this
penance. Montresor's thoughts and actions caused the reader to be surprised. The reader is astonished by
how contorted Montresor's mind worked. Montresor is cruel and merciless. Montresor's attitude toward
his revenge is honest. He believed what he is doing is right and killing Forunato is the best way to handle
this situation. The narrator has a violent point of view. Montresor resorted to killing Forunato instead of
working out a truce with him. Montresor is not a reliable narrator because he expresses to the reader only
part of the true story. He never revealed to the reader what Forunato did and why he wanted revenge.
Montresor is telling the story from his point of view giving the reader only one perspective of the story.
Montresor is brutal murder and is mental unstable. Montresor is considered insane. He shamelessly
describes how he will kill Forunato and the way he seals him alive in a catacomb. This shows that
Montresor is in a state of madness and gives an eerie tone to the readers.