In the "Masque of the Red Death" what was the symbolysim behind the clock of Ebony? Was it to show the quick passing of time, and how much closer to you death that you become with every hour? Or is there more to it then that? I am writing a paper for honors english and need to come up with the deep symbolysim, please help. Thank-you.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2003

Answers

Yes, this is the correct symbolism to the clock! It shows how close death can become with every passing second. And, to go further into it, it is black, and is in the black room. It shows that you can't escape death even if you hide (from the loud chime that the clock makes) in a quarintined castle.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2003

In "Dreamland" Night rules upright from a black throne. The sentiment is enough to compare the two. Poe keeps coming back to similar symbols. "The Oblong Box". "The Pit and the Pendulum" is another tyranny of terror by time. prospero has proposed to put hiu=imself beyond time's touch but in that last room a black throne is the place of state where Prospero receives the "Red Death". When the hearts stop beating and the illusion is dead the clock stops measuring the inexorable beat of doom, the mockery of life itself("The TellTale Heart").

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2003