why did the masque follow prince prospero through the 7 chambers?

-- Anonymous, October 24, 2000

Answers

Dear Vanessa,

I suggest you re-examine your text of "The Masque of the 'Red Death'", as you will find that the masked figure did nothing of the sort. In fact, it is Prince Prospero who chases the "mummer" (as the figure is referred to) through the seven chambers which comprise the imperial suite within which the masque is being held.

The reason for the pursuit seems, if one adopts the literal meaning of the text, that Prospero is understandably outraged by the audacity of the masked figure who has gone too far ("out-Heroded Herod") in assuming a costume which, by its stark and horrendous nature, is too close to the reality of the "Red Death" for comfort (remember that Prospero's whole aim is to banish from the mind the idea of the "red Death"). Little does he know that this audacious and uninvited guest IS the "Red Death", infiltrating the "safety" of the abbey to claim the lives of all within.

Hope this answers your question:

Yours sincerely,

Pragmatic Poe

P.S.: Feel free to contact me if you still have queries on this.

-- Anonymous, October 25, 2000

because it wanted to you dumbass!

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2000

it represents the seven stages of life from what i have been told

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2000