The Masque Of The Red Death Symbolism Analysis

In the writings of “The Masque of the Red Death,” Edgar Allan Poe uses symbols much to his benefit to include a deeper context to his words, by the symbolism of the seven rooms, the ebony clock, and Prince Prospero himself. Each of the seven rooms, upon further examination of the text, becomes a symbol of the track of life that begins with creation and finishes upon the room of death. Without this symbolism, the track of Prince Prospero following the Red Death becomes an uncomplicated trek through the seven rooms, but with the context of this symbol, it becomes a march through life towards an unwavering death. Within the eerie room of the dark coverings and blood windows, sits an ornament, ebony clock, which holds the symbol of time and life.
Indubitably, clocks give us the knowledge of time, but Poe uses remarkable writing to make the enigmatic clock enhance to a new meaning: counting to the departure from life. Within this life, the biggest goal of mankind may be to avoid unrelenting death and Prince Prospero battles to all lengths to keep his soul attached to the earth. Upon the understanding of Prince Prospero's fight, you come to perceive Prince Prospero as no longer another person, but a portrayal of mankind's fear of death, making the whole ending become deeper. Written exquisitely and thoroughly, “The masque of the Red Death” developes into so much more than a tale when you realize the symbolism taking place; it becomes a narrative of mankind's greatest fear: death.