Avoiding Reality: “The Masque of the Red Death” Analysis
Brandon DeLeon
McCloud
English 2H
November 4, 2013
Avoiding Reality: “The Masque of the Red Death” Analysis
Throughout the gothic horror short story, “The Masque of the Red Death”, Edgar Allan Poe illustrates the struggle of an egotistical prince who refuses to face the inevitable reality of death. Through the downfall of the protagonist, Poe establishes the idea that the inability to face reality often leads to the destruction of the mind. The downfall of the Prince is emphasized by Poe’s use of characterization, setting, and symbolism. In the short story, “Masque of the Red Death”, Edgar Allen Poe uses characterization to illustrate the psychological destruction of the Prince. Throughout the story, Prince Prospero struggles with his anticipation of death, and therefore uses his mind to create different physical illusions of safety. Through Prospero’s spawning of ideas to hide from reality in his castle, Poe explains “The Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless and sagacious. When his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hail and lighthearted friends from among the knights and dames of his court, and with these retired to the deep seclusion of one of his castellated abbeys.” (420) Besides creating the idea of physical protection, Prince Prospero further creates mental illusions of safety. As the night goes on, the predetermination of death slowly begins to approach Prospero, despite his earlier attempts to create a physical safety net. Prospero invents intangible reasons to divorce himself from death. However, when the Red Death appears, Prince Prospero’s mind crumbles under the weight of his fear and so begins his psychological suicide. Poe’s description of the prince’s hallucinations proves that the refusal to face reality leads to psychological destruction. Another way Poe portrays the protagonist’s downfall is through the setting. The story takes place in the safety of Prospero’s castle, which Prospero perceives
McCloud
English 2H
November 4, 2013
Avoiding Reality: “The Masque of the Red Death” Analysis
Throughout the gothic horror short story, “The Masque of the Red Death”, Edgar Allan Poe illustrates the struggle of an egotistical prince who refuses to face the inevitable reality of death. Through the downfall of the protagonist, Poe establishes the idea that the inability to face reality often leads to the destruction of the mind. The downfall of the Prince is emphasized by Poe’s use of characterization, setting, and symbolism. In the short story, “Masque of the Red Death”, Edgar Allen Poe uses characterization to illustrate the psychological destruction of the Prince. Throughout the story, Prince Prospero struggles with his anticipation of death, and therefore uses his mind to create different physical illusions of safety. Through Prospero’s spawning of ideas to hide from reality in his castle, Poe explains “The Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless and sagacious. When his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hail and lighthearted friends from among the knights and dames of his court, and with these retired to the deep seclusion of one of his castellated abbeys.” (420) Besides creating the idea of physical protection, Prince Prospero further creates mental illusions of safety. As the night goes on, the predetermination of death slowly begins to approach Prospero, despite his earlier attempts to create a physical safety net. Prospero invents intangible reasons to divorce himself from death. However, when the Red Death appears, Prince Prospero’s mind crumbles under the weight of his fear and so begins his psychological suicide. Poe’s description of the prince’s hallucinations proves that the refusal to face reality leads to psychological destruction. Another way Poe portrays the protagonist’s downfall is through the setting. The story takes place in the safety of Prospero’s castle, which Prospero perceives