From In the case of "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe Making A Theme Statement
Step 1: Choose a topic or
Step 2: Three word statement
Making A Theme Statement
Step 3: Making a complex theme statement
Ask yourself: What is the author saying about this?
Strategy: Analyze key moments
1. What exact emotions are the characters feeling?
2. What effect is the theme having on the scene/characters?
3. What might be causing the theme?
4. What lessons might be revealed in this scene about a topic?
Making A Theme Statement
Let's practice
a scene in In the case of "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe that feels important
What's a lesson can learn from this?
In your Reader's Notebook, write down the scene or give me the paragraph number.
Then, try to make a general statement that the author wants us to know from this scene.
Work on this individually,
and then we can discuss as a group.
Scene: The scene where Montresor lures Fortunato into the catacombs.
Possible lesson: Trusting others blindly can lead to disastrous consequences.
Theme Statement: In "The Cask of Amontillado," Edgar Allan Poe highlights the dangers of trust and betrayal through the scene where Montresor lures Fortunato into the catacombs.
Step 1: Choose a topic: Revenge
Step 2: Three word statement: Revenge and Betrayal
Step 3: Making a complex theme statement: The author is saying that the thirst for revenge can lead to betrayal and ultimate destruction.
Scene in "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe: The scene where Montresor tricks Fortunato into going into the catacombs.
Paragraph number: Not specified in the question.
General statement: The author wants us to understand that seeking vengeance can lead to betrayal and ultimately result in the demise of both the victim and the perpetrator.