I need to have "The Masque of the Red Death" explained to me. I read it, i just don't understand it all that well. Please help me.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

Answers

This story is one of my favorites mainly because of the underlying theme of time throughout the novel. The whole thing is quite magnificant. Well first there are weven rooms with seven corresponding colors. Throughout history the number seven has been associated with time. There were thought to be seven stages to a person's life and seven stages to the history of the world. There are also seven deadly sins and seven virtues. Universities used to split learning into seven different subjects. One can see the passage of time when Prince Prospero is chasing the intruder throughout the house from east to west. The sun also moves from east to west. Also in the story is a grand ebony clock. There is a lot of emphasis on this clock. Whenever it tolls, everyone stops what they are doing and just stares at it. Now I think that Poe is alluding to the concept of death and that it comes to us all. Outside the mansion is the Red Death and inside is tranquility and serenity. When Prospero dies it shows that no matter where you are, time still has an effect on you and that no one can escape death. I hope I have helped. Pope

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001