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.**

*impunity: freedom from consequences
**immolation: destruction

Which theme, or lesson about life, would the character’s thoughts in this passage best support?

A. the importance of honesty in human relations
B. the indifference of nature to human suffering
C. the danger of a single passion taking over the mind
D. the cowardly nature of those who forgive an enemy