The MASQUE OF Red Death
By
Edgar Allan Poe
QUESTIONS
1. What happens to the country in the story? How
do Prince Prospero’s reaction to these events reveal
his character?
2. How does the social-economic status affect if one
survives or falls victim to the Red Death?
3. Does Poe approve of Prince Prospero? Why or why
not?
4. There is no allusion to where or how the “Red
Death” originally began, only how it spreads. Why?
Allegory is a form of an
______________________
In which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative
are equated with meanings that lie out side the story
Moral, social, religious or political significance
Story has two meanings (symbolism
Personification of abstract ideas
The Elements of a Short Story
Protagonist:
5. How do the details of colors, numbers, and lighting
effects help create the mood of this story?
Antagonist:
6. There is an emphasis on the most eastern chamber
being blue and the most western being black velvet
and red. Why might this be?
7.
Which room disturbs the revelers most? Why?
8. Since time is referenced so often, what is its importance to the story? And what is the meaning behind
the hourly striking of the clock?
Theme:
Point of View:
Conflict:
9. What is the significance of the ebony clock and how
does it reflect the main idea of the story?
Setting:
10. How do you think the “Red Death entered the
Prince’s abbey that was sealed in “deep seclusion”
from the rest of the world?
KEY QUOTE:
11. How does Prospero react to the “masked figure”?
Why?