Essay Archive - Symbolism in "The Masque of the Red Death"
Symbolism in "The Masque of the Red Death"
"The Masque of the Red Death" conjures up thoughts of mortality, rapture, and social hierarchies. The most accurate reading produces an allegory for the mortality of humanity, and more importantly the absoluteness of this mortality. Poe is careful not to preach an judgment of repentance and revelation, but rather remains satisfied by presenting a symbol ridden tale of the certainty of death with resounding notes of revelation and divinity.
The foremost symbol in the story is the seven rooms in Prospero's mansion. The seven rooms represent the seven ages of man. ....
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