3.07 Edgar Allan Poe

1. According to the first paragraph, what characteristics of the "Red Death" make it such a horrible disease?

It caused sharp pains, dizziness, this disease also involved a lot of blood especially from the pores.

2. Describe in detail Prospero's plan for escaping the epidemic.

He had an abbey which allowed him to have his own world. There was entertainment such as musicians and dancers. Nothing but happiness existed there. There was no such thing as negativity.

3. What do the ebony clock and its arresting chimes add to the plot? Can you think of any symbolic value the clock might have?

It's symbolic because it symbolizes how much time we have left to live because "death" is coming closer as time goes by.

4. What symbolic evidence can you find in Poe's use of the following:
A. The use of colors, especially the black and scarlet

The use of colors, black could symbolize the bad coming their way but scarlet can represent the good

B. The movement from east to west in the sequence of the rooms and throughout the story

The movements from east to west in the room can symbolize the sun set or sun rise, showing either celebration, light and faith or dark agony and death, and darkness.

C. The number seven

Seven is an unlucky number, I believe this because of the seven deadly sins.

5. In the last paragraph, Poe alludes to a prophecy from the Bible: "For yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so cometh like a thief in the night." (1 Thessalonians 5:2) "The Day of the Lord" is a way of referring to Judgment Day, or the last day of the world. In your opinion, how does this allusion add a layer of meaning to this story?

This refers to the last day in the world. The people who attended Pospero's party it was considered their last day because red death ( who portrays a theif in the night) came and took their lives at midnight.

6. "The want of parental affection," wrote Poe "has been the heaviest of my trials." Explain why Poe would make such a statement.

Poe was adopted at a very young age. Loved by his stepmother. On the other hand his step father wanted him to go into buissness or law and never really accepted him as his own son.

7. What prominent military academy did Poe attend? Did he graduate? Why or why not?

He attended West Point Academy in the United States. Due to his bad behavior he was expelled and he was unable to graduate.

8. In great detail, comment on Virginia Clemm.

Virgina Clemm was Poe's cousin. In 1836, her being 13 years old her and Poe got married. In 1842 she burst open a blood vessel and she remained "virtual invalid" and she stayed like this until 5 years later when she was diasgnosed with tuberculosis resuliting in her death. Later on the cemetery she got barried in was destroyed but Fearing Gill ( one of Edgar's earliest biographers) was able to rescue her remains. They were stored in a box in his house in New York under his bed. They were later burried again in 1885. The poem Annabel Lee is based on her.

9. The name Edgar A. Perry is significant because? Using the name "Edgar A. Perry", That name was important because it allowed Poe to state that he was 22, when he was only 18 years old in order for him to be able to enlist in the army.

10. From 1835 - 1837 Poe edited for what publication ?

Arthur Gordon Pym was the narrative that was edited by Poe in this time frame.