Description
One of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous and sinister tales, “The Cask of Amontillado,” is a gripping short story that never fails to captivate students. Dark, suspenseful, and psychologically complex, this text is ideal for close reading and literary analysis.
In this lesson, students read the full text of the story and build understanding through targeted academic vocabulary and brief background information on the Carnival of Venice, which helps ground the setting and deepen comprehension. As students read, they respond to reading comprehension questions that guide them through plot, character motivations, and key moments of tension.
After reading, students strengthen their understanding by completing a summary writing activity and participating in an engaging “Would You Rather” game that encourages discussion, inference, and ethical reasoning tied directly to the text. These activities help students think critically about Poe’s choices and the consequences of the characters’ actions.
This resource is especially effective for teaching the three types of irony—situational, verbal, and dramatic—while also reinforcing analysis of theme, dialogue, suspense, mood, and character motivation. Complete answer keys are included, along with editable documents so teachers can easily adapt the lesson to meet classroom needs.
Perfect for middle school or high school ELA, this lesson works well in units focused on gothic literature, irony, or Edgar Allan Poe, and consistently sparks strong discussion and analytical thinking.