NAME:
ELA/ sixth grade
Section:
Date:
H.W.#
“ The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen Poe
Reading Comprehension Questions
The author:
Edgar Allen Poe was born in Boston, MA on 1809. He
had a very difficult and troubled life. Despite his
hardships, Mr. Poe is one of the most renowned
authors of the United States and his work is
recognized throughout the world. He produced a large
body of literature that includes poetry, short stories,
and essays. His stories are well known for their tales of
horror and inclusion of gory details. The mood of his
writing is often somber or sorrowful, yet his works are
beloved by many a reader. He is often referred to as
the “architect of the short story.” Unfortunately, Mr.
Poe’s notoriety did not come until after his death. He
died at a young age from rather mysterious
circumstances at the age of 40 in Baltimore, Maryland.
https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/
edgar-allan-poe
Reading Comprehension questions for “The Masque of the Red Death”
Directions: As assigned by your teacher, you will answer these questions in welldeveloped sentences that fully address all parts of the question. Be sure you include
examples from the story in your answer when it is required. Use the TTQA (Turn the
Question Around) method of responding when it is applicable. All responses should
be written in full sentences with proper punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.
1. In the opening of the story, the narrator describes a terrible sickness that has
overcome the countryside. The Red Death is a fictional disease, but using details
from the story, describe some of its symptoms.
2. As the story opens, the narrator describes how the prince has “protected” his
guests from the outside world. What words or phrases does the author use to
support the idea that the guests are well cared for and protected? Find specific
words or phrases/quotes from the short story to use in your answer.
3. Poe offers the reader a detailed description of the castle and its rooms. We have
discussed how setting can help create the mood in a literary work. How does Poe use
his description of the castle to convey an eerie or haunting mood? Remember
mood/atmosphere is the feeling created in the reader when reading a literary work or
passage. In your answer, be sure to use at least three examples/evidence from the story to
help support your answer.
4. Often in films or stories, a clock or timepiece is used to symbolize time passing. In
“The Masque of the Red Death,” Poe’s ticking clock is a threatening presence in the
palace. Find a quote about the clock in the story and explain what this chiming clock may
mean to the guests.
5. Using details from the story, describe the unwelcome guest and his costume. Who do
the party-goers (revelers) think the stranger is? Why is Prospero upset with the intruder’s
arrival at the party?
6. When Prospero realizes there is an unwelcome guest at his party, he is in the blue room
of the palace. How does Poe lead up to the climax in the story? HINT: Think about how
Prospero moves through the palace to reach this intruder? Use specific details/quotes
from the story in your answer.
7. The last sentence of the story is “ And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held
illimitable dominion over all.” Why are the words “darkness” and “decay” capitalized in
this sentence? What is this literary device and why did Poe chose to use it in his ending?
8. As discussed in class, Poe uses allusion throughout this story. Find one example of an
allusion in the story and explain where it comes from and its significance in this story.
9. In many of Poe’s short stories, he suggests that his main character may be crazy or
“mad.” In your opinion, do you think Prospero is mad? Support your answer with details
from the story.
10. Poe’s writing includes vivid and often challenging vocabulary. Find three words in
the story that are NOT vocabulary words, and which you had never seen before reading
this story. Complete the vocabulary section here as shown in the example.
Example
WORD: august - paragraph two
SENTENCE FROM STORY: “This was an extensive and magnificent structure, the
creation of the prince’s own eccentric yet august taste.”
DEFINITION- (adjective) having a formal and impressive quality
YOUR SENTENCE: As the beautiful young bride walked with pride down the aisle, I
was struck by her august appearance, which all around likened to that of a queen.
DO NOT SELECT ANY OF THE VOCABULARY WORDS FROM THE LIST GIVEN TO YOU
BY YOUR TEACHER.
WORD:
SENTENCE FROM STORY:
DEFINITION:
YOUR SENTENCE:
WORD:
SENTENCE FROM STORY:
DEFINITION:
YOUR SENTENCE:
WORD:
SENTENCE FROM STORY:
DEFINITION:
YOUR SENTENCE: