Final answer:
In Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Masque of the Red Death,' the black chamber at the western end of the suite symbolizes the end of daylight and life, aligning with gothic themes of gloom and mortality.
Step-by-step explanation:
In The Masque of the Red Death, the black chamber's location at the western end of the suite suggests the end of daylight and life. This is consistent with the symbolism often found in gothic literature, where the west is traditionally associated with the close of day and by extension, the end of life, signifying death. Edgar Allan Poe's use of dark and macabre settings, as illustrated in the provided excerpts, frequently employs such symbolism to reinforce themes of gloom, mortality, and the supernatural.
The appearance of unnatural light or the absence of natural light, the descriptions of decay, and the overpowering sense of doom all contribute to the gothic atmosphere. In the case of the black chamber, its placement furthers these themes by representing the ultimate end, where the inevitable approach of death is symbolized by the declining light of day.