Discussion Questions on Tobermory and The Cask of Amontillado.

Tobermory

1. What does the narrator teach the cat to do?
2. Which type of humor is used in this story: understatement or exaggeration?
3. What characteristic of cats is made fun of in this story?
4. How would the story be different if dogs were the main characters?
5. There are many examples of irony in this story. List them, starting with Clovis saying “Rats”.
6. How do the people react to the cat’s insights?
7. What do they decide to do with the cat and why?
8. What actually happened to Tobermory?
9. Who is the man who is killed in the zoo later?
10. What is the theme of this story?
    
    Cask of Amonitllado
11. What is the tone of this story?
12. What about carnival time (mardi gras) supports the tone of the story?
13. How do the characters' costumes support the tone and action in the story?
14. What about the vault makes it an appropriate setting for this type of story?
15. What time is mentioned and how is the appropriate for setting the tone?
16. Describe the coat of arms of the Montressor family and how is it significant given what happens in the story?
17. What is the Montressor family motto and how is it appropriate given what happens in the story?
18. What is the conflict in this story?
19. How is Fortunato's name ironic in this story?
20. What about the wine he is offered, De Grave, is symbolic?
21. What is the point of view of this story and why is it appropriate?
22. What is the theme of this story?