Poe

Unfortunately, the version of the story I used this year did not have the reference to the masons. If I gave them some background and explained that Fortunato was giving Montressor a secret sign, they would appreciate the humor and the foreshadowing function of the trowel like the motto, and the flagon of De Grave.
The foreshadowing, which entertains us but fails to warn Fortunato, shows that he is fatally blinded by his ego and so his fools costume is therefore fitting.
Next year I'll use the complete version but will first spend some time on vocabulary and some base-line information such as the order of masons.
The vocabulary study won't be critical because Poe's difficult words are often like grace notes adding to the sound of the sentences more than to the meaning.
I also plan to ha...