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Symbolism In The Masque Of The Red Death

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Symbolism In The Masque Of The Red Death
In “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe, Poe uses imagery and symbolism to create an allegory that communicates to the reader the idea that there is no escaping death, no matter what we do. This story is about a man known as Prince Prospero who represents the forces of life, fighting the good fight against death. Or at least running from death by shutting himself up in a fancy castle so he can keep throwing parties. Poe first uses imagery to describe the appearance of the Red Death; The Red Death had “scarlet stains upon the body” (Poe 456). The scarlet stains symbolizes the true appearance of the Red Death or a victim of the Red Death. Later in the story, Poe uses symbolism to describe seven colored rooms in the castellated

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