Literary Text: Short Story
Read this passage from "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe. Then, answer the following question(s).

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 I 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.**
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*impunity: freedom from consequences
**immolation: destruction


The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A
What kind of mood, or main feeling, does this passage help establish for the story?
A. lighthearted
B. suspenseful
C. sad
D. sentimental
Part B
Which of the following excerpts from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?
A. The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could.…
B. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser.
C. [N]either by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will.
D. [H]e did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.