Masque Red Death

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Olivia Bezzant Mrs. Hayes English 10A 1 November 2024 Literary Analysis Rough Draft Death: the inevitable end to all things, has perplexed people for centuries. Although it is a difficult topic to approach in literature, Edgar Allan Poe takes the challenge head on. The “Masque of the Red Death” written by Edgar Allan Poe depicts a kingdom dying of a plague: the notorious Red Death. The protagonist, Prince Prospero, attempts to distract himself by hosting a masquerade safe within his castle walls. However, as the theme suggests, the Red Death is unavoidable. In the short story, “Masque of the Red Death” the use of imagery, foreshadowing, and symbolism are used to illustrate the theme of the story. The imagery used throughout the story is crucial …show more content…

The external world could take care of itself. In the meantime it was folly to grieve, or to think.” (Poe 83). Prince Prospero had created a false sense of safety, and believed that there was no need to grieve or even think. This subtly alludes to the later revelation that Prince Prospero is, in fact, not safe from contagion. The Red Death is unavoidable, and not even from within his castle walls can he be protected. Inside these walls, there were seven rooms, each with different colors and themes, representing the stages of life. As previously mentioned, a particular room alludes to the dangers lurking among them. As Edgar Allan Poe stated, “...there were few of the company bold enough to set foot within its precincts at all.” (Poe 84). This room, decorated with its blood-colored stained glass windows and black accessories, surely implies the presence of the Red Death. Additionally, as it is the last room, it represents the end of life, showcasing the theme of inescapable death. Furthermore, Edgar Allan Poe heavily uses symbolism in “Masque of the Red Death” to display the theme. The symbolism in the story uses regular items to represent ever-present …show more content…

it was observed that the giddiest grew pale, and the more aged and sedate passed their hands over their brows as if in confused reverie or meditation.” (Poe 84). This clock is used to represent the time of death growing closer. The dull clang of the pendulum’s swinging symbolizes how the knowledge of death is always present, but dull, not something that frequently occupies one’s mind. However, when the clock strikes the hour, everyone grows pale. This embodies the confusion and terror that comes when one recognizes their mortality. As aforementioned, Poe also uses the rooms in Prince Prospero’s castle to represent specific aspects of the theme. Poe describes the rooms saying, “These were seven—an imperial suite. These windows were of stained glass whose colour varied in accordance with the prevailing hue of the decorations of the chamber into which it opened.” (Poe 84). Each of the rooms described symbolizes a stage of life, beginning with the blue room representing birth, and ending with the black and scarlet room representing

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