Question

“The Masque of the Red Death” has two levels of meaning: literal and symbolic, making it a(n): A. Biography B. Frame story C. Fable D. Allegory

Answer 1

Answer: D. Allegory.

Explanation: "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe, has two levels of meaning: literal and symbolic, making it an allegory. An allegory is a narrative in which the characters and events are symbols. So there is a deeper level of analysis in the allegory. "The Masque of the Red Death" is an allegory about death and how no man can escape its grip. The colors and disposition of the rooms of the palace represent the different stages of life. Being lined up from east to west they represent the journey from birth to death. Death is represented by the last room that is black.

Answer 2

The literary "The Masque of the Red Death" is an example of an allegory. By definition, an allegory could be any type of narrative that has hidden meanings embedded within the story that depends on the readers to discover it. It mainly conveys abstract metaphors that describes a character or an event in the story.