Similarities Between The Birthmark And The Masque Of The Red Death

Compare and Contrast Essay

“The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe and “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne are two great pieces of gothic literature. Each piece itself is marvelous in terms of language and structure. The texts in comparison offer very little in the similarity aspect however there are a vast amount of differences in each piece. One talks about a plague while the other speaks about a birthmark representing morality. They may have different plots but both fall under the category of death and both talk about death in similar ways. As well as the characters both have similar personalities. Both pieces differ in some ways but tend to have some things in common.

Within each great text there is a complex structure

and storyline. These two masterpieces differ in ways and are much alike in other areas. One element that both stories adhere to is that they both speak about death in contrasting ways. In the piece written by Edgar Allan Poe the main element is death, “And the flames of the tripods expired. And darkness and decay and the red death held illimitable dominion over all” (page 4). The language used symbolizes the characteristics the text will withhold to the very end. The story begins and concludes with death. Everything that occurs in the piece is related to death in one way or another, there are many other examples where the theme of death can be seen through the language used. In “The Birthmark”, death occurs more as a literal element, the actual event of a near-death scenario faced by Georgiana, “do not repent that with so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the earth could offer”. The language in this quote is could be characterized as authoritarian. Georgiana is thanking Aylmer for his efforts as he was able to get rid of the mark but it basically costs Georgiana’s life. Death is seen in both however it is given off more fiercely in “The Masque of the Red Death”, the language used is so brute and forceful, while in “The Birthmark” there is a underlying tone of death, not too forceful but always lingering.

As within all stories or texts there is always a main character.

The main character is the one who gets most attention and in both these pieces it is as literal as it could be. Both the Prince and Aylmer have selfish personas, they are thus defined by this trait. In Edgar Allen Poe’s piece it is clear to see that Aylmer is selfish, “the Prince had provided all the appliances of pleasure. There were buffoons, there were improvisatori, there were ballet-dancers, there were musicians, there was Beauty, there was wine” (page 2). The actions that the Prince does reflect who he is. He is a selfish man with no care in the world for anything nor anyone. Which leads him unable to rule as dignified as he should. The Prince does not have a care for his people, all he wants to do is live a lavish life and have plenty of fun. In “The Birthmark”, Aylmer shows his selfish side by the way he thinks, he thinks that what he does is just however it is not. For example, this quote gives a better understanding about how we can judge him, "Georgiana," said he, "has it never occurred to you that the mark upon your cheek might be removed?" (page 1). He is showing his egocentric side, the sides that seems to dictate how things are done. Aylmer is not the owner of her skin which means that he believes he is the supreme dictator among others. Speaking of language and structure both texts offer segments of foreshadowing, the element of foreshadowing is similar and gives similar context but the true

variation of the two comes down to the way they are pronounced and the tone that is used. In Poe’s text the language used is very rigid, there seems to be a lot of aggression and a bit of anger as well as fear. For example, “There came from the brazen lungs of the clock a sound which was clear and loud and deep and exceedingly musical….” (page 2). The diction used gives off a sort of chilling tone, as if it is supposed to mean something. The reaction on people’s faces indicate that they know something terrible is going to occur which ties into the foreshadowing element. “The Birthmark” offers up its own bit of foreshadowing and difference in tone, “ it was a sensation in the fatal birthmark, not painful, but which induced a restlessness throughout her system “ (page 7). The use of diction is penetrating but not too overwhelming when compared to Allan’s quote. It is sort of calming as well as terrifying. It is clear to see that the tone is less direct and destructive but more reassuring. However the reaction that Georgiana gives indicates that something unpredictable will occur in the future.

The final similarity between the two is that of nature. Both pieces of writing offer a viewpoint on nature in terms of the characters philosophies. In “The Mask of the Red Death”, nature has been talked about, “In an assembly of phantasms such as i have painted , it may well be supposed that no ordinary appearance could have excited such sensation” (page 3). This quote is talking about nature due to the word ordinary. Nature is ordinary, it speaks about appearance being ordinary because that is what nature is. Trees are ordinary, plants are ordinary, everything in life is. In “The Birthmark” nature is discussed differently in terms of certain philosophies. Aylmer’s philosophy is that he is the dictator who should dictate things and basically have “control” of nature, “We know not whether Aylmer possessed this degree of faith in man's ultimate control over nature.” (page 1). This quote speaks of Aylmer with a slight degree of uncertainty in that Aylmer is not fit for such a position. That no man can have control over nature and nature dictates its own path.

“The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe and “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne are two extraordinary pieces of late gothic literature. Each piece itself is marvelous in terms of use of language and structure as well as the use of diction and descriptive language. The texts in comparison offer slight amounts of similarities however there are vast amounts of differences in each piece. One talks about a plague while the other speaks about a birthmark representing morality. They may have different plots but both have similar yet different characteristics. The story is laid out through these elements. And we have a greater understanding of what the character is feeling or thinking. Both pieces overall shared similarities and differences which tied into one another well.