Wealth In Poe's The Mask Of The Red Death

The creation of wealth is difficult work, and in reference to human nature, most can never have enough. Creating with it a vicious cycle of work, receive, and so on, a person becomes infatuated by the ideas of ever increasing wealth, hoping it will bring them satisfaction and joy. But where does the cycle end, and when will a person decide that what thy have attained is enough? Breaking this destructive cycle is difficult for many considering stacks of soft, green bills, or a seven figure bank balance is comforting with its ability to assure security in basic necessities. Even through the most lavish comfort, problems will still find their way into the wealthiest of people's lives, in most cases directly from the wealth, or as a result of it. Considering today's strive for a greater level of overall affluence, ease of life, and security in basic comfort, the illusions of wealth create emptier, unhappier individuals. …show more content…

As seen by his extravagant parties, and his colossal home, the expanse of his wealth can buy him any experience from birth to death. Poe writes,"The external world could take care of itself. In the meantime it was folly to grieve, or to think. The prince had provided all the appliances of pleasure" (Poe 373). Although the Prince's wealth could briefly spare him his deathly inevitable fate, his money's power was only an illusion, and even then couldn't keep away his greatest fear. Within this same quote is also embodied the idea that Prospero's wealth and happiness in his own security is an apparition as he had all the appliances for happines, but none was being given to