The Masque Of Red Death Analysis

Reading “The Masque of Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe places the reader in an interesting scene. It starts into a masquerade scene, and there is a lot of splendor and wealth to be seen. This merry scene contrasts the scene outside of the castle though. The surrounding area is under the effects of a plague. This medieval style setup pave the way for a deeper understanding for the reader based on historical context. While this might seem to be a story about medieval culture, it is actual a reflection of some events during its publication time. The story was published in 1842, and there are two particular historical events that appear throughout Poe’s writing. The Panic of 1837 and the peak of Tuberculosis both make prevalent appearances through “The Masque of Red Death”, and they are shaped throughout the story by Poe’s setting descriptions as well as symbolism seen as the progression of the night’s events. In the story, the reader is first introduced to the Red Death. It is a plague that has filled the lands and causes havoc on those it infects. To escape this, Prince Prospero has hosted a masquerade for his the nobles in an attempt to avoid this disease. The night goes on in the multitude of colored rooms, but by midnight a figure appears that resembles the

Prince Prospero uses his wealth to hide the wealthy away from the disease. He lets it tear through the land, and does not attempt to help in any way. His seclusion behind the masquerade is a failed attempt to use wealth and standing to escape what cannot be contained. It is at the climax of Poe’s story when Prince Prospero tries to confront this plague head on. “He bore aloft a drawn dagger” (Poe 5). This is the last action Prince Prospero get to do before he is consumed by the disease. As it is revealed in the end, this all-consuming disease knows no difference in class or standing, and it penetrates into the lives of