“the masque of the red death” objective: analyze how symbolism is used in the story
DESCRIPTION
What is the significance of the rooms Rooms are going east to west signifying the life cycle Rooms are going east to west signifying the life cyclesunriseand sunset sunsetTRANSCRIPT
““The Masque of the Red Death”The Masque of the Red Death”
Objective: Analyze how symbolism Objective: Analyze how symbolism is used in the storyis used in the story
What is the What is the background/settingbackground/setting
Setting during the bubonic plague - Setting during the bubonic plague - 14th and 17th centuries14th and 17th centuries
Bubonic plague was an illness carried by Bubonic plague was an illness carried by fleas who bit rats that traveled on shipsfleas who bit rats that traveled on ships
The Black Death is estimated to have The Black Death is estimated to have killed 30% – 60% of Europe's populationkilled 30% – 60% of Europe's population
Symptoms –boils in the groin, the neck Symptoms –boils in the groin, the neck and armpits, which oozed pus and bled and armpits, which oozed pus and bled when opened – vomiting blood, feverwhen opened – vomiting blood, fever
http://www.squidoo.com/black-death-history
What is the significance of What is the significance of the roomsthe rooms
Rooms are going east to west Rooms are going east to west signifying the life cyclesignifying the life cycle
sunrise sunrise and and sunsetsunset
Going from East to West:Going from East to West:
Blue =birthBlue =birthPurple =youth Purple =youth
(beginnings of (beginnings of growth)growth)
Green = youthGreen = youthOrangeOrange = adult = adult
hood hood
White = mid-lifeWhite = mid-lifeViolet = elderlyViolet = elderlyBlack = deathBlack = death
**Red **= reserved for **Red **= reserved for blood and fearblood and fear
What does the clock What does the clock symbolize?symbolize?
It symbolizes reality; their It symbolizes reality; their lives slowly ticking away.lives slowly ticking away.
What does Prince What does Prince ProsperProspero’s name o’s name
symbolizesymbolizeWealth; prosperity
He represents mankind's futile attempt to live forever.
What does the mask What does the mask figure symbolize?figure symbolize?
Death in general;
More specifically, the Red Death Plague
Why do Prince Prospero and his Why do Prince Prospero and his followers retreat to his palace?followers retreat to his palace?To escape the Red Death PlagueTo escape the Red Death Plague
Every time the clock strikes off another hour, the orchestra
stops playing and the people stop dancing.
Compare life outside the palace Compare life outside the palace with the life of the people with the life of the people Prospero brought inside. Prospero brought inside.
OutsideOutsideInside
RealityRealityFantasyFantasyDeath; DestructionDeath; DestructionLifeLifeSorrowSorrowHappinessHappiness
HealthHealth Disease/SicknessDisease/SicknessDespairDespairHopeHope
WealthWealth PovertyPoverty
What do you learn about What do you learn about Prospero's character from his Prospero's character from his
desire to keep his palace free of desire to keep his palace free of the plague?the plague?
He is afraid to die.He is afraid to die.He is prejudice against the He is prejudice against the
poor.poor.He thinks he can cheat He thinks he can cheat
death. (He thinks he can buy death. (He thinks he can buy his way out.)his way out.)
What mood or effect is What mood or effect is created by the colors and created by the colors and the lighting in the rooms of the the lighting in the rooms of the
ball? ball?
It causes a dream-like effect.It causes a dream-like effect.FantasyFantasy
WhyWhy does the visitor frighten does the visitor frighten the guests? the guests?
Because he looks like someone with the Red Death Plague
ListList 6 aspects of how Poe builds 6 aspects of how Poe builds terror in the story (Unity of terror in the story (Unity of
Composition)Composition)Description of the plague’s symptoms Doors welded shutDim, pulsing lights from the burning
coalsBlack room with the red panesAppearance and behavior of the
intruder