Analytical Response: The Masque Of The Red Death
Analytical Response Paper #1
Edgar Allen Poe's “The Masque of the Red Death”
“The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen Poe contains a single major message which is that no one can escape disease and death. This message is underlined by the overall dark and ominous tone that is presented throughout the work. Poe's choice of words he used is very dark and horrific as well, which also lets the reader feel the works underlying message. In regards to symbols, the giant ebony clock represents the passage of time and the sound it makes when it chimes causes the party to stop and become nervous. Through the ebony clock, Poe pairs the opposites of the macabre with a grand party. Another symbol used is the mask every party goer wears, which
tells the reader that the people are trying to put up a barrier and hide from the Red Death. Another symbol are the colors that each room in the abbey represent. They can be seen as the seven sacraments in the Catholic faith or even as different personality types, such as green could be envy.
In my view, I found “The Masque of the Red Death” to be a very intriguing and great work. I am very partial to horror and angst short stories because of how the works make me feel and think as I read them. The imagery used is very colorful, especially when the masquerade and rooms are being described in detail, despite the work being so dark and foreboding. In my opinion, this work is very successful in getting it's message across, especially with Poe's ability to use the best words to create a dark mood so that the plot moves at an even pace, even if the work is very short. I found this work to be very enjoyable in the sense of how the events unfolded and the main plot was slowly revealed. This angsty or anxious feeling is intriguing to feel when it comes from a story and not from events that could be happening in real life. Overall, this work succeeds in getting the message of death being able to find us no matter where we hide with it's ominous tone, symbolism, and choice of words to underline the tone.
Edgar Allen Poe's “The Masque of the Red Death”
“The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen Poe contains a single major message which is that no one can escape disease and death. This message is underlined by the overall dark and ominous tone that is presented throughout the work. Poe's choice of words he used is very dark and horrific as well, which also lets the reader feel the works underlying message. In regards to symbols, the giant ebony clock represents the passage of time and the sound it makes when it chimes causes the party to stop and become nervous. Through the ebony clock, Poe pairs the opposites of the macabre with a grand party. Another symbol used is the mask every party goer wears, which
tells the reader that the people are trying to put up a barrier and hide from the Red Death. Another symbol are the colors that each room in the abbey represent. They can be seen as the seven sacraments in the Catholic faith or even as different personality types, such as green could be envy.
In my view, I found “The Masque of the Red Death” to be a very intriguing and great work. I am very partial to horror and angst short stories because of how the works make me feel and think as I read them. The imagery used is very colorful, especially when the masquerade and rooms are being described in detail, despite the work being so dark and foreboding. In my opinion, this work is very successful in getting it's message across, especially with Poe's ability to use the best words to create a dark mood so that the plot moves at an even pace, even if the work is very short. I found this work to be very enjoyable in the sense of how the events unfolded and the main plot was slowly revealed. This angsty or anxious feeling is intriguing to feel when it comes from a story and not from events that could be happening in real life. Overall, this work succeeds in getting the message of death being able to find us no matter where we hide with it's ominous tone, symbolism, and choice of words to underline the tone.