Examples Of Allegory In The Masque Of The Red Death

The Disguise of Death Edgar Allan Poe believed that short stories should be composed to achieve a single effect. He argued that every event, character, setting, and plot detail should add to this effect. “The Masque of the Red Death” was so exception to Poe’s beliefs. In the short story, Poe utilizes many elements to highlight and contribute to the single effect. Poe’s overall effect is not to simply entertain the reader; he wants to scare and terrify the reader. In the story, there are many instances where images reoccur and Poe purposely repeats words to emphasize certain points. For example, the word “shrouded” is repeated twice in the story. In the quote, “the seventh apartment was closely shrouded in black velvet tapestries that hung

An allegory is a type of story with both literal and symbolic meaning. The Red Death literally and symbolically represents death. The Red Death is a “hideous” disease that has devastated the country. This disease is described as being the most fatal epidemic ever. Regardless of how extravagant the castle and the party are, people within the country are still suffering from the plague. Prince Prospero isolates himself from those who are sick to avoid getting the disease. However, in attempt to stay away from the Red Death, he ends up being killed at his party. Literally and symbolically, there is no way of escaping death no matter how hard people try to avoid it. The different colored rooms lined up are also examples of an allegory. The rooms represent the stages of life and resemble the pattern of day and night. The sun rises in the east, and sets in the west, just like how the rooms are arranged in the house, from east to west. The first room is blue symbolizing birth and day. The last room is black symbolizing death and night. As people move on from room to room, they are moving closer, day by day, to death. In the black room, there is a large clock that has bells that ring frequently. The loud ring literally reminds the guest of the time passing; symbolically, the bell represents the time until death’s judgement. Poe uses the element of allegory to add a deeper meaning to the spooky and scary setting. His literal