Thesis: Poe uses symbolism to unfold this gripping tale of terror. I. The first symbol in the story
is the name of the Prince himself, Prince Prospero. II. The ebony clock is another major symbol wit
hin this tale. III. The black room is the most prominent symbol in the story but is not clear until
the end.
The mood of this story is set as a description of the Red Death is laid out for the reader
. 'The 'Red Death' had long devastated the country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or hideous
.' (Poe 72) This disease left scarlet stains upon it victims skin. Any victim of this disease was to
tally shunned by his fellow man. The final throws of this ' Red Death ' were an agonizing half hour
of torment and seizure. Prince Prospero could no longer bear witness to this, so in fear of his life
he took himself one thousand of his royal comrades and enough servants for all to a secluded abbey.
He was sure the seclusion from the Red Death would save his life. He was wrong! Poe uses his suppor
ting character Prince Prospero, to show the wealth of royalty in this story. This character's speaks
of wealth and happiness. Prospero's wealth was so vast that he was easily able to support one thous
and of his royal comrades, hundreds of servants, and a seemingly endless number of parties. However,
it is very ironic that the prince of prosperity was the first to die. He was murdered by the main c
haracter of the story 'The Red Death' itself. I believe this was to show the reader that one can not
turn their back to society's problems without feeling the effects. The giant ebony clock screamed w
ith the symbolism of the group's short amount of time left in this world. This clock had an over pow
ering chime every hour. The chime paused its victims with disconcert and trepidation. This sound was
so clear, and loud that it was heard by all, and even the most joyous grew pale. In the end the clo
ck died just as the 'Red Death' had taken its last victim, 'And the life of the ebony clock went out
with that the last of the gay' (75). The 'Black Room' is described vividly. ' The seventh apartment
was closely shrouded in black velvet tapestries that hung all over the ceiling and down the walls,
falling in heavy folds upon a carpet of the same material and hue. But in this chamber the windows f
ailed to correspond with the decorations. The panes were scarlet-a deep blood in color' (73). This r
oom is a symbol of the end. There were seven rooms, and this was the last one. However not apparent
at the beginning it is to be the seen of the grand finally; where 'Prince Prospero' meets his demise
by the hand of 'The Red Death'. In conclusion I believe this symbolism in this story is a hidden at
tempt to show man that he/she can not turn it's back to the woes of the world. One man or group can
not turn his/her back on society because sooner or later the problems shall come to them. Works Cite
d
Poe Edgar Allan 'The Masque of the Red Death' Literature: An Introduction to Critical Reading Ed.
Lee A. Jacobus. Upper Prentice Hall, 1996. 72 - 76.thesis uses symbolism unfold this gripping tale
terror first symbol story name prince himself prince prospero ebony clock another major symbol withi
n this tale black room most prominent symbol story clear until mood this story description death lai
d reader death long devastated country pestilence ever been fatal hideous disease left scarlet stain
s upon victims skin victim disease totally shunned fellow final throws death were agonizing half hou
r torment seizure prince prospero could longer bear witness fear life took himself thousand royal co
mrades enough servants secluded abbey sure seclusion from would save life wrong uses supporting char
acter prospero show wealth royalty character speaks wealth happiness wealth vast that easily able su
pport thousand royal comrades hundreds servants seemingly endless number parties however very ironic
that prosperity first murdered main character itself believe show reader that turn their back socie
ty problems without feeling effects giant ebony clock screamed with symbolism group short amount tim
e left world clock over powering chime every hour chime paused victims with disconcert trepidation s
ound clear loud heard even most joyous grew pale died just taken last victim life ebony went with la
st black room described vividly seventh apartment closely shrouded black velvet tapestries hung over
ceiling down walls falling heavy folds upon carpet same material chamber windows failed correspond
decorations panes were scarlet deep blood color room there were seven rooms last however apparent be
ginning seen grand finally where meets demise hand conclusion believe symbolism hidden attempt show
turn back woes world group turn back society because sooner later problems shall come them works cit
ed edgar allan masque literature introduction critical reading jacobus upper prentice hallEssay, ess
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