Literature: Short Story Read this passage from "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan
Poe. Then, answer the following question(s)
Which theme, or lesson about life, would the character's thoughts in
this passage best support?
A. the importance of honesty in human relations
B. the indifference of nature to human suffering
c. the danger of a single passion taking over the mind
D. the cowardly nature of those who forgive an enemy
The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best
could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge.
You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not
suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. At length
I would be avenged; this was a point definitely settled-but
the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded
the idea of risk. I must not only punish but punish with
impunity.* A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes
its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails
to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong
It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had 1
given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. 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.**