“The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe Author Notes, Culture/Context and Literary Devices

Edgar Allan Poe ( ) Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts to a family of poor actors. His father David Poe Jr. abandoned the family, never claiming him as his child. Soon after, his mother, Elizabeth Poe, died of tuberculosis (consumption). Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts to a family of poor actors. His father David Poe Jr. abandoned the family, never claiming him as his child. Soon after, his mother, Elizabeth Poe, died of tuberculosis (consumption).

Edgar Allan Poe ( ) Poe was forced to live in poverty with his aunt; Maria Clemm and his cousin; Virginia. Despite her relatively young age (13), Poe later married her and acted as her provider and protector. Poe was forced to live in poverty with his aunt; Maria Clemm and his cousin; Virginia. Despite her relatively young age (13), Poe later married her and acted as her provider and protector.

Edgar Allan Poe ( ) One evening, Virginia Clemm was singing and a spot of blood appeared on her lip… a sure sign of the deadly disease tuburculosis. One evening, Virginia Clemm was singing and a spot of blood appeared on her lip… a sure sign of the deadly disease tuburculosis.

Edgar Allan Poe ( ) “The Masque of the Red Death” may symbolize, consciously or unconsciously, the loss of so many women beloved by the author, who succumbed to the terrible disease of tuberculosis. “The Masque of the Red Death” may symbolize, consciously or unconsciously, the loss of so many women beloved by the author, who succumbed to the terrible disease of tuberculosis.

Culture / Context The story “The Masque of the Red Death” is seemingly set in medieval Europe, although it references events from later in history as if it is a dream. The story “The Masque of the Red Death” is seemingly set in medieval Europe, although it references events from later in history as if it is a dream.

Culture / Context In the 1300’s and 1400’s in Europe, a plague known as “The Black Death” swept across the countryside, killing 1 out of every 3 people for a death toll of approximately 25 million. In the 1300’s and 1400’s in Europe, a plague known as “The Black Death” swept across the countryside, killing 1 out of every 3 people for a death toll of approximately 25 million.

Culture / Context Carried by fleas on rats, the Black Death (likely Bubonic Plague or a variation of that disease) also swept through London in the 1300’s and again in Carried by fleas on rats, the Black Death (likely Bubonic Plague or a variation of that disease) also swept through London in the 1300’s and again in 1665.

The Plague Its spread:

The Plague Poe’s version of this illness — the “Red Death” — does not strictly correspond to bubonic plague. He combines it with tuberculosis, which killed several family members, and plays up the bloodiness of the disease. For dramatic effect, he also shortens the infection’s time span, from years (tuberculosis) or days (bubonic plague) to minutes (Red Death). Poe’s version of this illness — the “Red Death” — does not strictly correspond to bubonic plague. He combines it with tuberculosis, which killed several family members, and plays up the bloodiness of the disease. For dramatic effect, he also shortens the infection’s time span, from years (tuberculosis) or days (bubonic plague) to minutes (Red Death).

Literary Terminology Allegory: Allegory: a poem, play, picture, etc. in which the apparent meaning of the characters and events is used to symbolize a deeper moral or spiritual meaning. Ex: The Creation Story of Adam and Eve from the Old Testament. Adam symbolizes Man, Eve symbolizes woman, the serpent symbolizes evil, the apple symbolizes temptation, etc.

Literary Term: Symbol  Something that is itself and yet also represents something else  Invested symbols give symbolic meaning by the way an author uses them in a literary work  Symbols are very common in literature

Allegory Person, Object or Event Possible Meaning Possible Lesson of Story The prince The abbey The series of seven rooms The stranger

Symbols to Look For 1. The Red Death 2. The Castle 3. Prince Prospero 4. The Ebony Clock 5. Colors 6. The Red Rooms 7. The Masqueraders 8. The Clock