Red Death Symbolism

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Imagine a very unnerving story with lots of mystery and death, that is how it feels to read stories by Edgar Allan Poe. Poe expresses some of his horrifying works in his short story, “Masque of The Red Death”. He shows his use of symbolism to express that no one can escape the inevitable no matter how wealthy or powerful one may be.
The Red Death or the “Plague” is a huge factor in showcasing how no one can escape the inevitable no matter how hard they try. Poe shows examples of this with his quote, “The Red Death has long devastated the country” (446). This line is showing that the plague has been terrorizing the country for quite some time and no one has been really able to stop it or get rid of it. Another line that Poe uses is, “No Pestilence …show more content…
The clock in “Masque of the Red Death” plays a giant role in symbolism. Poe showcases this with the line, “That their stood against the western wall a gigantic clock of ebony. It’s pendulum swung to and fro with a dull, heavy, monotonous clang…. While the chimes of the clock yet rang, it was observed that the giddiest turned pale…. (449)”. This quote that Poe uses is a very subtle yet important quote that he states in his story. This is the first introduction of the Clock in the final room. Everyone has a fear of this clock because of the ominous feeling that it vibes off when it chimes. It also stops everyone in their tracks and makes them listen with no emotion and no reaction to the sound of it. The seven rooms are symbolized as the seven stages in life. Poe showcases this by saying, “That at the eastern extremity was hung, for example, in blue---and vividly blue were its windows. The second chamber was purple in its ornaments and tapestries, and here the panes were purple. The third was green throughout, and so were the casements…. (448)”. This line talks about how each room is a symbol for each stage in life. For example blue is birth and that’s why it’s the first room in the mansion. Poe showcases his use of symbolism in his story “Masque of the Red Death” by talking about the seven rooms and the big ebony clock. Poe expresses some of his horrifying works in his short story, “Masque of The Red Death”. He shows his use of symbolism to express that no one can escape the inevitable no matter how wealthy or powerful one may
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