1. “The Masque of the Red Death” Objective: Analyze how symbolism is used in the story

2. What is an Allegory:
A type of story in which the characters, settings, and events are an interconnected series of SYMBOLS.
The deeper or symbolic meaning of the story may contain a LESSON ABOUT LIFE.

3. What is the background/setting
Setting during the bubonic plague - 14th and 17th centuries
Bubonic plague was an illness carried by fleas who bit rats that traveled on ships
The Black Death is estimated to have killed 30% – 60% of Europe's population
Symptoms –boils in the groin, the neck and armpits, which oozed pus and bled when opened – vomiting blood, fever

4. What is the significance of the rooms
Rooms are going east to west signifying the life cycle
sunrise
and
sunset

5. Going from East to West:
Blue =birth
Purple =youth (beginnings of growth)
Green = youth
Orange = adult hood
White = mid-life
Violet = elderly
Black = death
**Red **= reserved for blood and fear

6. What does the clock symbolize?
It symbolizes reality; their lives slowly ticking away.

7. What does Prince Prospero’s name symbolize
Wealth; prosperity
He represents mankind's futile attempt to live forever.

8. What does the mask figure symbolize?
Death in general;
More specifically, the Red Death Plague

9. Vocabulary Avatar – the incarnation of a God (Hinduism)
Pestilence – a deadly epidemic disease
Sagacious – keen practical sense; shrewd
August – inspiring reverence or admiration
Contagion – the communication of disease by contact
Dauntless – not to be intimidated; fearless; bold

10. 1. Why do Prince Prospero and his followers retreat to his palace?
To escape the Red Death Plague

11. 2. Explain how the party is constantly disrupted.
Every time the clock strikes off another hour, the orchestra stops playing and the people stop dancing.

12. Inside Outside Wealth Poverty Fantasy Reality Life Death; Destruction
3. Compare life outside the palace with the life of the people Prospero brought inside.
Inside
Outside
Wealth
Poverty
Fantasy
Reality
Life
Death; Destruction
Happiness
Sorrow
Health
Disease/Sickness
Hope
Despair

13. He is prejudice against the poor.
4. What do you learn about Prospero's character from his desire to keep his palace free of the plague?
He is afraid to die.
He is prejudice against the poor.
He thinks he can cheat death. (He thinks he can buy his way out.)

14. 5. What mood or effect is created by the colors and the lighting in the rooms of the ball?
It causes a dream-like effect.
Fantasy

15. 6. Why does the visitor frighten the guests?
Because he suddenly and mysteriously appears out of nowhere
Because he looks like someone with the Red Death Plague
Because he just stalks to and fro and doesn't talk

16. 7. List 6 aspects of how Poe builds terror in the story:
Description of the plague’s symptoms
Doors welded shut; one couldn't leave even if one wanted to
Dim, pulsing lights from the burning coals
Black room with the red panes
Appearance and behavior of the intruder
Clock constantly stopping the party

17. Processing Create a foldable
On the back upper half, write the title, author and theme (#13)
On the outside of the flap, state the questions
On the flat side, when you open the flap, answer the question.
On the other side of the flap, draw a picture
On the back answer lower half, “short response” #1 ONLY

18. Question of the Day
Create a plot diagram, and explain the exposition and rising actions events so far in the story

19. Question of the Day
Finish the plot diagram you started yesterday. Please fill in the climax and resolution.