Sunday, October 17, 2010

Week of October 18th--The Cask of Amontillado

Level 2 Question: What makes Fortunato so willing to follow Montresor through the nitre-encrusted catacombs?

Level 3 Question: Is man's pride his final downfall?

5 comments:

  1. 1. Level 2 Question
    Why was the Fortunato willing to go into the vaults with the narrator?
    Because the narrator praises him and makes him feel proud of the things he can do.
    The other reason is because Fortunato really believes the narrator; he thinks the narrator is a friend not an enemy.

    2. Level 3 Question
    Why is the Amontillado so important to the Fortunato?
    Because the Amontillado can show the understanding of the taste and the high status Fortunato has.

    -----Shelley Oct.18

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  2. Chisom Oraedu:

    Level 2 Question: What makes Fortunato so willing to follow Montresor through the nitre-encrusted catacombs?
    Fortunato wants to prove that he knows more about wine than Luchesi, another wine connoisseur. When Montresor tells Fortunato of his recently acquired Amontillado, he insists on seeing it, even though it is stored deep within the underground catacombs. Although the nitre in the damp walls causes Fortunato to have a hacking cough, he insists on continuing: “’Enough,’ he said; ‘the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough’” (Amontillado 193). He wants to prove that he has a better knowledge of wine than Luchesi; this drive to prove his knowledge coupled with his intoxication causes him to remain oblivious as he travels farther and farther through the catacombs toward his demise.

    Level 3 Question: Is man's pride his final downfall?
    Pride is an attribute found in all humans. Everyone feels proud about something; for example, someone might take pride in his or her grades or job. If one works hard at something, he or she deserves to be able to boast and feel good about it. But sometimes that pride can lead one to his or her downfall. Take, for example, Fortunato in The Cask of Amontillado. He is a man who prides himself in being a true connoisseur of wine. To prove his profound knowledge, he would go to any length. In the story, he plays into Montresor’s trap and eventually meets his end all in the quest to prove his knowledge. The pride that Fortunato feels does not allow him to turn back around when Montresor insists that he does; he must see this through to the end and prove to Montresor once and for all that he is a far better wine connoisseur than Luchesi: “’Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry’” (Amontillado 192). This relates to how humans in society feel the necessity to prove their superiority to others. They put on shows of bravado just to show off their skills and attributes. In the end, pride is an emotion that leads all men to his or her downfalls.

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  3. Chisom Oraedu:

    Level 2 Question: What makes Fortunato so willing to follow Montresor through the nitre-encrusted catacombs?
    Fortunato willingly follows Montresor into the catacombs because he is a drunk and just wants to drink Amontillado at the end of the tunnel. He pretends that he has a vast knowledge of wine so Montresor will lead him to it when really he’s just an alcoholic looking for his next fix. Fortunato expresses his great desire for the Amontillado: “‘How?’ said he. ‘Amontillado? A pipe? Impossible! And in the middle of the carnival!’” (Amontillado 192). Fortunato then proceeds to exclaim the wine’s name repeatedly while Montresor tries to dissuade him by saying that he doubts that it’s truly Amontillado. But this does not hinder Fortunato. If there is even a possibility that there is Amontillado in the catacombs, he’s willing to take the perilous journey through the damp and nitre-encrusted vaults. The draw of the wine caused Fortunato to enter the catacombs, eventually leading to his demise.

    Level 3 Question: Is man's pride his final downfall?
    Pride is definitely a factor in all man, but that does not mean that it will lead him to his demise. Just because someone feels proud that he accomplished something or acquired a certain amount of knowledge does not mean that he will let it get to his head and cloud his better sense of judgment. As long as he keeps his mind leveled, his demise shall not be met. For example, in “The Cask of Amontillado,” Fortunato holds great pride in the fact that he is a connoisseur of wine: “In painting and gemmary Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack—but in the matter of old wines he was sincere” (Amontillado 192). Though in reality he is lying about being a connoisseur, he still feels pride in the façade. He does not let this go to his head, however. His pride is just an emotion that is on the surface. He never tries to repress it nor does he let it take him over. What really leads him to his demise is the fact that he is an alcoholic. Pride does not necessarily lead man to his final downfall.

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  4. 1) Fortunado is so willing to follow Montresor through the catacombs because he really wants to get the Amontillado. He is so drunk that all he wants to do is drink some really good wine. But, he maskes this fact by saying he is a master of wine and that he wants to examine the Amontillado.

    2) I don't think that pride is always, for every single person, is the cause of their demise. I think pride is not what leads to a man's ultimate demise, but I think it definitly plays a part in relationships with other people, and it could have had some effect on his relationship with Montresor, which ultimatly led to his demise.

    -Jack

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  5. Chisom Oraedu:

    Level 2 Question: What makes Fortunato so willing to follow Montresor through the nitre-encrusted catacombs?
    Fortunato follows Montresor through the catacombs to the Amontillado not just because he is a drunk but also because he does not realize the wrong that he had previously committed against Montresor. Had he known than Montresor was infuriated with him, he would have never been so trusting and naïve. Throughout the entire story, Fortunato remains oblivious to Montresor’s plan for revenge, which causes him to play right into his trap. In the beginning of the story, Montresor reveals his ulterior motive: “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge” (Amontillado 192). Montresor had been dealing with Fortunato’s abuse for a while, but when he insulted him on one occasion, that was his breaking point. He then devises a plan to lead Fortunato to his death. Had Fortunato known of this plan, he never would have followed Montresor.

    Level 3 Question: Is man's pride his final downfall?
    Pride definitely causes people problems every now and then, but that does not necessarily mean that it is their final downfall. The mistakes that one makes as a result of their pride may teach them a lesson so they don’t make that mistake next time. For example, my dad doesn’t like to admit that he’s wrong, even when he obviously is. He assured my family that he knew where he was going when he was trying to take us to a new restaurant, so he didn’t feel that it was necessary to print out directions. We told him that’s it better to be safe than sorry, but he still didn’t listen. When we left to try and get to the restaurant, we actually did end up getting lost. Even though we proved that my dad was wrong, he was still too prideful to admit his mistake. Although his pride caused him to get into an unfortunate situation, it was not his ultimate downfall. It turned out to be a learning experience. The next time we were trying out a new restaurant, he made sure to print the directions first. Sometimes positives things can come out as a result of one’s pride.

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