Edgar Allan Poe: The Author
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What year was Poe born? 1809 2. What did his parents do? Actors
How old was Poe when parents died? 3 4. Who raised Poe? The Allan’s
How long did Poe spend with the Allan’s? 1811-1827; until out of college
Where did Poe’s attend his academic years? Attended University of Virginia and
West Point Academy
7. Why did Poe quit college? Ran up large gambling debt and Mr. Allan would not
provide financial support outside of the tuition.
8. At what age did Poe publish is first poem? 18 in 1827
9. Why did Poe drop out of West Point Academy? Purposely got kicked out because he
did not like it. Finally realized he and his father would never get along; no
longer cared what his father thought. Purposely disobeyed orders and got
dismissed from West Point Academy.
10. From 1831-1835 whom did Poe live with? His aunt and cousin
11. What was bizarre about Poe’s marriage? He married his cousin.
12. When and where did Poe enjoy his most productive and content years? Most
productive and content years were living with his aunt and being married to his
cousin.
13. How did Virginia die? Tuberculosis
14. What happened to Poe after his wife died? Poe went crazy after his wife died. He
was extremely grief stricken.
15. Where was he buried? Baltimore
Poe’s “ The Tell Tale Heart”
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Why does the narrator decide to kill the old mall? The narrator detests the old
man’s eye.
How long does it take the narrator to accomplish his plan? It takes the narrator
eight nights.
Why do the police arrive even though the narrator planned the murder? The
neighbors thought they heard a scream.
How does the narrator reveal his cunning throughout the course of the crime? He
plans all duties extremely carefully.
How does he reveal the powers of his concentration? The narrator was able to
stay in one position for a very long time.
When the police arrive why does the narrator place a chair over the spot where the
old lies buried? The narrator is so sure of himself that he will not get caught and
the police would never know.
Do you think anyone but narrator hears the beating of the old man’s heart?
Explain your answer. Answers will vary, but should capture the idea that no one
hears the heart beating and it’s the narrator’s paranoia, insanity, and/or guilt
that has triggered his hearing the heartbeat.
Why does he hear the old man’s heart beating so loudly? His conscientious is
driving him mad.
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What finally drives the narrator to confess? The narrator’s guilt and conscientious
get to him and tension rises.
At the beginning of the story, the narrator says that he is not mad. Explain why you
agree or disagree.
To whom may he be recounting his tale? He may be recounting his tale to his
friends, police, or psychologist.
Why do people like to read tales of terror? Many people like to read tales because
they are suspenseful.
Does the story remind you of any horror stories you have read or seen lately?
Friday the 13th, Scream, etc.
Poe’s “ The Cask of Amontillado”
Background information: This is a tale about revenge.
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Who are the main characters in the story? Fortunato and Montessori
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What is the story’s setting? The story is set in Italy during a festival season.
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What is the tone of the story? The story is a tale of revenge. It is dark and
ominous.
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Write some descriptions that prove the tone of the story. The description of the
crypt and the first sentence of the story, “I avowed revenge” help to prove the
tone of the story.
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What was Fortunato known for? Fortunato is known for being knowledgeable
about wine.
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How did the narrator lure Fortunato to his house? The narrator lured Fortunato
into the house by telling him had a bottle of Amontillado he wanted him to taste
to verify if it was the real thing.
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How had the narrator prepared for the arrival of Fortunato? The narrator told all
of the servants not to return until the following day. The narrator also had the
brick prepared to bury Fortunato.
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What was the condition of Fortunato’s health? Fortunato had a bad cough.
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What happened once the narrator and Fortunato arrived to the deepest part of
the crypt? The narrator buried Fortunato between walls.
10. Summarize the story.
Narrator wants revenge Talks to Fortunato to cellar by telling him he wants
him to try some expensive wine he has to check to see if it is the real thing.
In reality, the narrator is getting revenge on Fortunato and buries him alive
in the crypt.
11. List as many similarities of this story compared with recent horror stories, such as,
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Friday the 13 , Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, or Scream.