Get together with a group of classmates and take turns role-playing the characters Timber, Harry, and Dr. Ganderbai. Begin by choosing your character. Then take turns climbing into the "hot seat" and responding to questions-in character-that the rest of the group members ask. Try to find out why a character acted as he did and how a character felt about the night's events. Keep each person in the hot seat for about two minutes. When you've finished the questioning, discuss what you learned about the characters by stepping into their shoes.

Choose the correct word from the pair in parentheses.

"It dropped them at (their, they're) door in the Rue des Martyrs, and they climbed wearily up to (their, they're) apartment."

"I Am" Poem Writing as either ranny or Granddaddy Cain, complete the following lines of an "I Am" poem: I am _________________________ I wonder _________________________ I hear _________________________ I try _________________________ I wish _________________________ I dream _________________________ I see _________________________ I hope _________________________

Suppose a detective assigned to the case at the time it happened wrote a report with this theory about the disappearance of Fortunato: "Montresor is the last member of an old aristocratic Catholic family that lost its money. Fortunato was a businessman who had recently become wealthy and wasn't above cheating to make money. Fortunato also was a member of the Masons, a secret Protestant organization that Catholics cannot join. These facts explain Montresor's hatred of Fortunato. They also supply him vith a motive for murder." Now you are another detective assigned to the still unsolved case a few years later. In a report to your supervisor, explain exactly what you think of this theory. If you agree or disagree, tell why and find reasons in the story to support your case.

Part of the story's horrifying effect comes from Poe's use of irony. What do we know that Fortunato does not know about why he has been invited into the vaults? When did you figure out what Montresor was up to?