Masks for The Masque (of the
Red Death)
Students read Poe closely to find hints of what their masks should look like.
Curriculum/State Standards
Students will read and construct meaning
and illustrate this by producing non-text
responses as well as textual responses.
Overview
When students participate in the creative
process of making a mask to wear to
an enactment of the final scene of Poe’s
short story, they engage the story much
more effectively. After reading Poe’s short
story “The Masque of the Red Death,”
students decorate the room to resemble
the final black room in the prince’s castle
complete to the detail of the huge black
clock. Each student also produces a
mask to be worn during their class’s
reenactment of the final stages of Prince
Prospero’s party.
Objectives
The student will read and demonstrate
comprehension by constructing an
appropriate mask to be worn.
The student will demonstrate
understanding of the color symbolism of
the story in the color choices made for the
mask being constructed.
The student will demonstrate reading
comprehension by participating in
recreating the black room from Prince
Prospero’s castle in the classroom.
Materials
two sheets of plywood (for the clock);
poster board, glitter, feathers, scissors,
elastic string, glue, lace, trim, plastic eyes,
etc. (large craft supplies packs); bolt of
black fabric (28 yards)
Readiness Activity
Read and discuss the story; watch film
based on the story starring Vincent Price.
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GRADE LEVEL
Strategies/Activities
First read the Poe story and discuss
the symbolism, stressing the color
symbolism. When the story is finished,
usually one class period, decorate the
room to resemble one of the rooms
of the castle. I have always used the
final, black room. I have used black
craft paper in the past, but thanks
to the grant, was able to purchase a
bolt of fabric to drape the walls of my
classroom. I purchased plywood to
construct a black clock, like the one in
the story, and a fireplace, also in the
story. The windows are covered in red
cellophane to resemble the red glass of
the windows in the story. The effect is
pretty dramatic.
Then watch the old Vincent Price movie
(this helps students to design the
masks—they always do a better job if
they see the film before starting the
masks). Download mask patterns from
the Internet for less creative students.
Students can do this step for themselves.
Divide the materials for the masks and
place at workstations around the room so
students can access them conveniently.
Lots of pairs of scissors will be needed.
Most students can finish their masks in
two class periods. Caution students to
be neat and not to cut small shapes from
the centers of poster board sheets. (This
my janitor’s least favorite project.)
I set a date for the Red Death Party
and students must have their mask
finished to participate. I bring snacks
THIS WINNING PROJECT IDEA SUBMITTED BY:
Jessica Fredricks
Bethune Academy
Haines City, FL
11
1
WEEK
$547
TOTAL BUDGET
Masks for The Masque (of the
Red Death)
....continued....
and so do most students. I also
have a red ghoul costume that
is very similar to the one worn
by the Red Death character in
the film (found it at WalMart a
few years ago). My counselor
sometimes wears it to visit the
room and “terrorize” the “guests.”
I sometimes wear the costume,
but I like to have someone else
come into the room wearing
it. This helps students realize
that just when the guests were
celebrating their escape from
the Red Death, they were struck
down and really brings home to
them the symbolic meanings of
the story.
Culminating Activity
Students have to wear the mask
they make during the “Masque
of the Red Death” party each
class has. Knowing they will be
wearing their masks causes them
to work harder on their creation.
Evaluation Method
I use a form I downloaded to
evaluate art projects. Time,
effort, originality, and quality are
considered.