“The Masque of the Red Death”
Symbolism connects the Theme Symbol: a person, animal, thing, event, or idea that represents something in addition to itself heart = love cross = religion or Christianity skull = death red = passion, blood white = purity, innocence What could symbolize life? death? freedom? joy? hate? ***Symbols help readers understand the meaning of the story by focusing on specific ideas related to the theme.
Symbolism Connects the theme Projected symbolism: The author writes without the intent to make things symbolic, but the reader can draw symbols from the story. Intended symbolism: The author writes with the intent to make things symbolic or representative of something else.
Allegory set of recognizable symbols whose meanings combine to convey a message. The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas like charity, greed, or envy. Allegory is a story with two meanings: a literal meaning and a symbolic meaning.
THEME: One cannot escape his or her fate or death. B. What is the allegorical lesson in the story? (write in the 3rd Person) THEME: One cannot escape his or her fate or death.
He represents mankind's futile attempt to live forever. Prince Prospero Wealth; prosperity He represents mankind's futile attempt to live forever.
The Masquerade Fantasy; escaping from reality
More specifically, the Red Death The Masked Figure Death in general; More specifically, the Red Death
It symbolizes reality; their lives slowly ticking away. The Clock It symbolizes reality; their lives slowly ticking away.
The Seven Rooms Color association 7 phases of life ending in death 7 deadly sins
Going from East to West: Blue Purple Green Orange White Violet Black/Red
Assignment With a partner you need to design an illustration of one of the symbols mentioned on your study guide Prince Prospero The masquerade The masked figure The clock Any of the seven rooms mentioned in the story
Requirements Front: Back: Your poster should include: 1.Illustration of the meaning of the symbol (example: Do not just draw a clock. Show how it represents reality.) 2.Quote or passage of the symbol on the illustration Back: 1.Symbol you chose 2. Explanation for the meaning and use of this symbol as it relates to the theme.
Questions to Ponder How does this symbol help develop the theme that death is inescapable? What could this object represent and why? What is the purpose of this object? Who is affected by the object and how are they affected? Do the colors or description help symbolize the object further?