Pre-writing Considerations

• What are the two conditions for successful revenge that Montresor explicitly outlines?
• Does Fortunato ever genuinely grasp who is behind his fate and the reasoning behind it? What evidence backs your interpretation?
• How does the unreliable first-person narrator influence the reader's trust in Montresor's account of events?
• In what ways does irony (verbal, situational, and dramatic) serve to undermine or reinforce Montresor's assertions?
• Does the conclusion of the story—Montresor confessing fifty years later—imply guilt, triumph, or something more ambiguous?

Requirements

• A clearly articulated thesis that presents a defensible stance
• At least three body paragraphs that include textual evidence and analysis
• Consideration of at least one counterargument
• A formal academic tone and adherence to MLA citation format

In your essay, be sure to

• Develop a clear, arguable thesis that articulates how unreliable narration operates thematically in the story.
• Analyze at least two specific literary devices (e.g., dramatic irony, diction, tone, symbolism) that Poe uses to indicate Montresor's unreliability.
• Reflect on what Montresor's confession to an unnamed listener — given fifty years after the crime — reveals about his psychological state and the true cost of his revenge.
• Incorporate textual evidence (direct quotations and paraphrase) to back up your claims.
• Address a counterargument: recognize how a reader might initially view Montresor's self-portrayal as that of a calm, rational avenger, then counter this interpretation with supporting evidence.

Scoring Focus

Thesis strength, textual evidence, literary analysis, counterargument, and organization.