Similarities Between The Lottery And The Masque Of The Red Death

People within communities have a large responsibility to one another. Sometimes, however, that responsibility and respect seem to fade, as in “The Lottery”, Shirley Jackson, and “The Masque of the Red Death”, Edgar Allan Poe. Both of these stories describe settings in which communities fell apart either briefly or all together. Sometimes in life we become ignorant of the fact that our deaths could literally happen at any moment, even if we are not suspecting it. Generally, we would not expect death in the way that it comes to Mrs. Hutchinson and Prince Prospero, at the hands of their own communities. “Mrs. Hutchinson came hurriedly along the path to the square, her sweater thrown over her shoulders, and slid into place in the back of the crowd. Clean forgot what day it was” (Jackson 367). Mrs. Hutchinson

Hutchinson and Prince Prospero. Both their deaths were at the hands of their own communities. Their own kin were a part of their demise. “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right, Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her” (Poe 372). The whole village crowded around Mrs. Hutchinson and stoned her to death. This was just tradition, but Mrs. Hutchinson did not in the least expect that tradition would release its wrath upon her on that awful day. Prince Prospero had a similar experience with Red Death. “There was a sharp cry-and the dagger dropped gleaming upon the sable carpet, upon which, instantly afterwards, fell prostrate in death the Prince Prospero” (Poe 76). Red Death introduced himself to the prince by killing him instantly. This was completely unexpected for Prince Prospero as he thought that the guest was just a ruder intruder, not death. Prince Prospero and Mrs. Hutchinson were simply going about their days and enjoying themselves, they did not realize that it would be the last time that they would enjoy