Question

"In the short story The Mask of the Red Death, Edgar Allan Poe uses symbolism to give meaning to the story and paint a visual image in the reader's mind. Some of the symbols Poe uses are ___________ , _______________ , and ________________ .

Describe each symbol. cite the evidence, and analyse by explaining the meaning of the symbol.

Answer 1

In "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe, several symbols contribute to the overall meaning and atmosphere of the story. Three key symbols in the narrative are the clock, the colored rooms, and the figure of the Red Death.

The ebony clock in the seventh room strikes each hour with a dull and ominous sound, causing the revelers to momentarily stop their festivities. The clock is described as having a "muffled monotone" that chills the heart.

The clock serves as a symbol of the inevitability of death. Its relentless ticking and chiming represent the unstoppable march of time and the inescapable approach of mortality. Each strike serves as a reminder to the characters, and ultimately to the reader, that death is an inescapable reality.