masque of red death
Maria Melnichuk
2 December 2014
Analysis of The Masque of the Red Death
Thematic Statement: Death is inevitable and it’s ignorable but unstoppable.
If life gives you happiness then take it. That is what people of The Masque of the Red Death did. There was a plague spreading from people to people. Sons, daughters, family and others were dying, but the ignorance of the people just kept spreading. They ignored time, and what was coming towards them as they agreed to go to the party. “…Prince Prospero entertained his thousands friends at a masked ball of the most unusual magnificence (Poe 1).” The masked ball was something that gave the people happiness. The masquerade was where everyone hid their true identity which was a perfect climax for the story. This shows their fear of death and the fact that they have all hidden their faces shows how they are trying to hide their true identities and fear of death from each other. The people in the building had a desire to not die, some wanted to be immortal some just didn't want to die from a disease. But it didn't matter from what they died, it mattered that they were running away from the disease or at least they thought they were escaping the disease by enjoying themselves in a different way. The ball represents life because everyone runs away from death, and each time the dance stops for the chiming of the ebony clock which represents the time until death. Yes the people thought they had ignored and escaped the Red Death but they didn't because they were always one step closer to it instead of three steps back.
At the masquerade ball there was 7 chambers or rooms that also represented the STAGES of life. Each color of the room symbolizes each stage of a person’s life from birth to death. The first color was blue which represents birth, purity, water, and the very beginning of life. The second color was purple which represents beginning of youth, growth, and intensity. The third room was green which
2 December 2014
Analysis of The Masque of the Red Death
Thematic Statement: Death is inevitable and it’s ignorable but unstoppable.
If life gives you happiness then take it. That is what people of The Masque of the Red Death did. There was a plague spreading from people to people. Sons, daughters, family and others were dying, but the ignorance of the people just kept spreading. They ignored time, and what was coming towards them as they agreed to go to the party. “…Prince Prospero entertained his thousands friends at a masked ball of the most unusual magnificence (Poe 1).” The masked ball was something that gave the people happiness. The masquerade was where everyone hid their true identity which was a perfect climax for the story. This shows their fear of death and the fact that they have all hidden their faces shows how they are trying to hide their true identities and fear of death from each other. The people in the building had a desire to not die, some wanted to be immortal some just didn't want to die from a disease. But it didn't matter from what they died, it mattered that they were running away from the disease or at least they thought they were escaping the disease by enjoying themselves in a different way. The ball represents life because everyone runs away from death, and each time the dance stops for the chiming of the ebony clock which represents the time until death. Yes the people thought they had ignored and escaped the Red Death but they didn't because they were always one step closer to it instead of three steps back.
At the masquerade ball there was 7 chambers or rooms that also represented the STAGES of life. Each color of the room symbolizes each stage of a person’s life from birth to death. The first color was blue which represents birth, purity, water, and the very beginning of life. The second color was purple which represents beginning of youth, growth, and intensity. The third room was green which