“The Masque of the Red
Death”
Edgar Allan Poe
SYMBOLISM
• Prince Prospero = prosperity
• Prosperity (n.) – the condition of enjoying
wealth, success, or good fortune
• Red Death = The bubonic plague; Black
Death (pg. 372)
SYMBOLISM cont.
• The number 7
– 7 stages of life
– 7 wonders of the world
– 7 deadly sins
• The 7 rooms
– East to west room layout; sunrise/sunset=
life/death
SYBOLISM cont.
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Colors
1. Blue
2. Purple
3. Green
4. Orange
5. White
6. Violet
SYMBOLISM cont.
• Color
• Black room with scarlet window panes
– “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. The panes were scarlet—a deep blood
color.” page 370
• The giant ebony clock
– Time standing still; death
Mood/Tone
• Mood- “…for night is waning away…the
sounding of midnight upon the clock”
• Tone- Reread the first paragraph…what
kind of story will this be just from the
wording? pg. 369
• Suspense- Who/what is the mysterious
“man”?
• Point of View- Third person
THEME???
What is it?
Q&A
• You will have 5 minutes to answer each
question. You must stop when the time
is up.
• After the fourth question is answered,
we will share our answers.
• You will hand in your answers before
you leave class.
#1
• Question 1
• Can people make their own fate
or change what seems to be
preordained to happen?
Explain your answer.
#2
• Question 2
• List as many sport teams you
can think of that are named
after animals. Next, identify
what qualities each animal can
symbolize for a team.
#3
• Question 3
• Imagine how society would handle
a plague in the present day. Could
all victims be isolated before the
plague spread? What problems
would be created by international
travelers?
#4
• Question 4—With a partner!
• Rewrite a section of “The
Masque of the Red Death”
from Death’s point-ofview.
• Turn in what you completed today.
• Thank you!
• Reminder--HW: Unit 2
workbook exercises are due
tomorrow.