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The Masque of the Red Death

by Edgar Allan Poe

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The Masque of the Red Death

The number seven in "The Masque of the Red Death" symbolizes themes of death and mortality, as reflected in the story's seven rooms, culminating in the ominous seventh room with its black and scarlet...

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The Masque of the Red Death

The phrase "the waltzers perforce ceased their evolutions" signifies that the dancers were compelled to stop dancing. "Perforce" implies it was unavoidable or necessary. This is symbolic within the...

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The Masque of the Red Death

In "The Masque of the Red Death," Prince Prospero fortifies himself and his guests in a castellated abbey to escape a deadly plague. The abbey is surrounded by a high wall with iron gates, which are...

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The Masque of the Red Death

Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" is an allegorical tale illustrating the inevitability of death. Prince Prospero symbolizes the wealthy attempting to escape mortality by secluding...

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The Masque of the Red Death

The east is blue, the west is black. Blue symbolizes life and black symbolizes death. Question (2): Why do you think that the author chose to have the rooms in the order of their colors?

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The Masque of the Red Death

The masquerade's location is unusual because it takes place in a secluded abbey, heavily fortified by Prince Prospero to keep out the plague. The abbey features seven color-themed rooms arranged in a...

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