by Christine Poser, I.S. 24
Lesson Plans / Student Masks / Quiz / Assessment Rubric
Picture from http://guestinvenice.com/carnivalofvenice/uk/2001/events.asp
AIMS:
1.
To introduce The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
2.
To
analyze the story’s text for foreshadowing and irony
3.
To see
how the season of Carnival is celebrated throughout the world
4. To create Carnival masks and describe them in Italian
GRADE
LEVEL: 6-8th grades
ESTIMATED
TIME: 4-5 lessons at 40 minutes per week
SETTING:
Library, Art and Computer Lab
INTERDISCIPLINARY AREA: Literature, Italian, Library Skills and Art
ACADEMIC
OBJECTIVE: To introduce the short story The Cask Of Amontillado by Edgar
Allan Poe
MOTIVATIONAL
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Have
you ever felt the need for revenge? Did
you get your revenge in the end?
DO
NOW: Using context clues, what do
the underlined words mean?
The
catacombs were cold and damp.
He
was determined to get revenge after he was insulted.
The
wine was in a cask in the cellar.
They
carried flambeaux down the dark hallway.
Fortunato
wanted to taste the amontillado.
PROCEDURE:
Catacombs- underground cemetery
Revenge- to get back at someone
for pain inflected
Cask- a barrel for holding
liquids
Flambeaux- torches
Amontillado- a pale-dry wine
Poe lived from 1809 to 1849.
Poe’s life is as interesting as his stories.
Poe’s parents both died and Poe was taken in as an orphan.
He briefly went to West Point Military Academy before his was thrown out.
He married his fourteen year old cousin, who died shortly after they were
married. Poe, a genius, was also a
gambler and an alcoholic. He died
broke in the streets of Baltimore. Poe created the horror genre and is
considered the father of the short story. The Baltimore Ravens football team
took their name from one of Poe’s most well know poem “The Raven.”
CONCLUSION:
Discussion of Story
What
added impression of Fortunato do you get from his costume?
Fortunato was dressed as a fool at the
carnival and was played for one.
How
did the carnival help Montresor execute his plans?
-Montresor’s home was free of his servants
due to the carnival.
-The drunkenness at the carnival made it
easier for Fortunato to be persuaded.
-The costumes at the carnival allowed them to
be seen together without being recognized by others as being seen together.
-The noise of the carnival prevented anyone
from hearing cries for help from Fortunato.
What
kind of person is Montresor? Do you
think he is insane? Why or Why Not?
Opinions will vary
Do
you think Montresor will ever get caught for this crime? How?
Opinions will vary
View web sites on the storyhttp://poedecoder.com
viewpoints and summary of story http://usd.edu/~thompson/Poetry/Poe.html biography of the life of Poe |
LESSON
II
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the story’s text for foreshadowing and irony.
DO
NOW: Define
Foreshadowing
-
to indicate or suggest something, usually something unpleasant that is going to
happen
Irony
- using words to suggest the opposite of their literal meaning.
Something said or written that uses sardonic
humor
MOTIVATION:
Discuss literary terminology foreshadowing and irony.
Can
you think of a movie where the screenwriter gives you some clues on what is
going to happen or who the villain in the story is? It may be the music, or a facial expression from a character
that gives you a clue. The
screenwriter helps the viewer predict what is going to happen. Poe also gives the reader clues in his writing of what is
going to happen.
PROCEDURE:
Poe
chooses the words in his story very carefully. The title of the story and the
main characters names were not given by accident. Many times the words or phases he used gave the reader a clue
of what was to follow. He also used
double meanings of words to lead to his sarcastic humor. Analyze the following lines or scenes from the story.
·
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.
·
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 said to him -- "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met.
How remarkably well you are looking to day!
·
I passed down a long and winding staircase, requesting him to
be cautious as he followed. We came at length to the foot of the descent, and
stood together on the damp ground of the catacombs of the Montresors.
·
“Come," I said, with decision, we will go back; your
health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy as
once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back;
you will be ill and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi"
·
"The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall
not die of a cough." "True -- true," I replied
·
“I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose
around us."
"And
I to your long life”
·
"Nemo me impune lacessit."
·
Once more let me IMPLORE you to return. No? Then I must
positively leave you.
·
“Let us be gone." "Yes," I said, "let us
be gone."
·
The Cask of Amontillado-TITLE
·
Fortunato – Name of main character
CONCLUSION:
Go over literature text.
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.
Foreshadowing- Montresor smiles in
Fortunato’s face as he is thinking about killing him.
The man wore motley. He had on a
tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap
and bells.
Ironic- Fortunato comes to the carnival dress
like a fool. He is taken for a fool by going after the amontillado, which leads
him to his death.
I said to him -- "My dear
Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to day!
Ironic-
Montresor comments how lucky they are to meet.
By this chance meeting Montressor’s plan of revenge begins to take
form. Although Fortunato looks good now, he will be dead by the end of the day.
I passed down a long and winding
staircase, requesting him to be cautious as he followed. We came at length to
the foot of the descent, and stood together on the damp ground of the catacombs
of the Montresors.
Ironic & Foreshadowing- It is ironic that he cautions him going down the stairs when he is planning to kill him shortly. The descending to the catacombs is a foreshadowing of Fortunato’s fate.
"Come," I said, with
decision, we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected,
admired, beloved; you are happy as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For
me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill and I cannot be
responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi"
Ironic &
Foreshadowing – Montresor tells Fortunato to go back that his health is
precious and that he will be missed if something should happen to him. Yet Montresor is plotting his death.
The
quote “you are happy as I once was” is a foreshadowing of the revenge that
is about to be inflicted.
"The cough is a mere nothing;
it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough."
"True -- true," I replied
Ironic &
Foreshadowing –Poe shows his sarcastic humor here.
It is ironic that Fortunato brings up the topic of dying.
He will not die from the cough but by Montresor’s revengeful plan.
"I drink," he said,
"to the buried that repose around us."
"And I to your long
life."
Ironic – The toast to the dead around them and to
Fortunato’s long life is another sarcastic play on words knowing that
Fortunato’s life will be over shortly.
"Nemo me impune lacessit."
Ironic –The motto on Montresor’s coat of arms is translated
from Latin meaning: "No one injures (attacks) me with consequences” It is
because of Fortunato’s insults or verbal attacks that Montresor is killing him
Once more let me IMPLORE you to
return. No? Then I must positively leave you.
Foreshadowing- He begs him to leave one last time and then states that he
will leave him for good.
“Let us be gone."
"Yes," I said, "let
us be gone."
Ironic –
Fortunato states “let us be gone” meaning lets go back to the carnival the
joke is over. Montresori states
“let us be gone” meaning your death is approaching.
The Cask of Amontillado
The title of the story is also a play on words for it is this cask, which leads him to casket.
Fortunato- Fortunato name means Fortunate which he is
anything but.
Impress again on the students how the choice of words can have a tremendous impact on the story. Poe’s descriptive writing and play on words is what makes his stories able to be read on many different levels.
LESSON
III
OBJECTIVE:
To see how the season of Carnival is celebrated throughout the world.
MOTIVATION:
The setting of the story takes place during the carnival season in Venice,
Italy. Have students explore this
web site and take a virtual tour of Venice, Italy.
http://virtualvenice.com/virtualv/index.html
PROCEDURE:
-What
is the significance of carnival season?
The word Carnival can
be traced to the Medieval Latin carnem levare or carnelevarium,
which means to take away or remove meat. Carnival
is a celebration, which precedes the 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter.
Many Christian religions celebrate and indulge themselves in the Carnival
season before having to give up something during the Lenten season. Many people
give up meat, hence the term “Carnival”.
Although many countries and nationalities celebrate Carnival, the first
day of the carnival season varies with both national and local traditions.
-
Have students view website on http://carnaval.com/main.htm
Students will be
able to view Carnival celebrations in Trinidad, Rio de Janerio, Salvador, New
Orleans, Vera Cruz, San Francisco, Toronto, Nice, London and New York.
- Using NEWSBANK, EBSCO, SIRS or another periodical database. Students will look for magazine and newspaper articles about the carnival season. To help with your search you may want to refer to
- http://teachersnetwork.org/teachnet-lab/is24/cposer/searching.htm
Tip: You
might need to search using Boolean terms
Example:
Carnival not ship
Carnival and pre-lenten festival
CONCLUSION:
Students will compare and contrast the differences between two carnival
celebrations.
Have students
note when and where the celebration takes place.
Is the festival
known by another name?
What are the
festivals like?
Interesting facts about the carnival.
Helpful Web siteshttp://carnaval.com/main.htm
- History of Mardi Gras – New Orleans http://guestinvenice.com/events/carnivalofvenice/uk/antico/storia/default.asp -History Of Venetian Carnival |
LESSON
IV
OBJECTIVE:
To create Carnival masks
MOTIVATION:
To view various carnival masks:
http://goeurope.miningco.com/travel/goeurope/library/venice/aa980119.htm
MATERIALS:
Students were instructed to bring in anything they thought may be used for their
masks. lace,
ribbon, sequins, feathers, etc..
PROCEDURE:
After viewing several masks of the carnival season. Have students create their own masks using different
materials. There were very few
rules to follow for this project. Creative
is what we are looking for the students to strive for in this lesson. The only
rules that were given were:
They
may chose to decorate a mask they already have at home or create their own
original mask and decorate it.
The
masks should be colorful and created using several mediums.
The
masks should also be three-dimensional.
While
the students are creating their masks log on to: http://carnavalcle.com
to help set the mood. You will be able to listen to carnival music and
radio stations from Brazil.
CONCLUSION:
After the masks were completed the students, who are taking Italian,
wrote a few words in Italian describing their masks.
Here are some examples of our completed works of art.
1. La mia maschera ha un naso lungo.
2.
La
mia maschera e colorata.
3. La mia maschera ha i fiori belli.
La mia maschera e’ azzurro e verde con penna.
4. La mia maschera ha penni belli.
5.
La
mia maschera e’ bianca e nera.
My mask is blue and green with
feathers.
Unit
Quiz
Analogies
1.
cask:wine::jar:
_________
a) apples
b) jelly
c) elephants
2.
flambeaux:light::cow:_______
a) farm
b) milk
c) horse
3.
catacomb:tomb::student:________
a) pupil
b) teacher c)blackboard
4.
amontillado:wine::cola:__________
a) soda
b) peanuts c)
glass
Part
II
Fill
In
5.
The Cask
of Amontillado was written by ______________________________.
6
& 7 In this story, the author
uses foreshadowing and irony to lead to his sarcastic humor. Choose two of the
following excepts from the story and discuss their meanings.
·
I said to him -- "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met.
How remarkably well you are looking to day!
·
“Come," I said, with decision, we will go back; your
health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy as
once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back;
you will be ill and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi"
·
"The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall
not die of a cough." "True -- true," I replied.
8.
What added impression of Fortunato do you get from his costume?
9.
How did the carnival season help Montresor execute his plans?
10.
Carnival is celebrated all over the world.
Select a country and tell how they celebrate the season of carnival.
|
Level 3 |
Level 2 |
Level 1 |
Participation |
Actively
involved in the lessons. Provided
thoughtful questions and answers. |
For
the most part was involved in the lessons. Answered basic questions. |
Was
not involved in lessons and didn’t provide any questions or answers |
Comprehension
of Story |
Indicates
a very good understanding of the story. Provides accurate information and
supportive reasoning. |
Indicates
some understanding of the story. Provides some accurate information and
examples. |
Indicates
no understanding of the story. Provides
inaccurate or no information. |
Organization
of Research |
Organizes
information logically using strategies such as storyboarding and graphic
organizers. Uses
various types of reference materials including Internet, CD-ROMs and
magazines. |
Organizes
information in an acceptable order uses some reference materials. |
Ideas
are presented with little or no organization. Uses no reference materials. |
Creativity |
Mask
project is well constructed and visually appealing using several mediums. |
Mask
project is constructed and basic. |
Mask
project is sloppy or incomplete. |