Masque of the Red Death

A detailed Summary of Masque of the Red Death


Authors create stories to tickle us funny, make us weep, or shock us to the core. While some stories are easily forgotten, there are those that leave a lasting impression in one's mind. The mood that an author creates is vital in leaving this impression on his or her audience. In the short story "Masque of the Red Death", Poe uses the symbolism of the clock, the seventh room, and jarring colors to achieve an ominous and foreboding mood.

The gigantic ebony clock is an important symbolic object in the story that helps created the ominous mood. "Its pendulum swung to and fro with a dull, heavy, monotonous clang; and when the minute hand made the circuit...it was observed that the giddiest turned pale, and the more aged and sedate passed their hands over their brows as if in confused reverie or meditation". This timekeeper represents the passing of time in one's life. Although the gallant party has escaped the horror that surrounds them, each passage of the minute hand brings them closer to their impending doom. The clock is a very ominous figure. One can te


ll that although the people appear to be having fun, something bad will happen soon. Time is slowly running out for these partygoers. The clock also symbolizes death. When the last person dies, the clock goes out as if its purpose was to only be a greeter of death and to remind the people the their end is creeping near. Poe writes, "And the life of the ebony clock went out with that of the last of the gay." It ticks and tocks to count what precious time is left for the lives of the guests. The clock is death, waiting, watching and reminding the people around him that they are his and that they can no escape the inevitable. The fact that the clock also resides in the ominous seventh room helps Poe create a dark mood.

Poe has written an exemplary short story. With the symbolism of the clock, the seventh room, and the jarring colors, he creates an ominous and foreboding mood that effects the reader throughout the story. For many, creating such an effect is a challenge, but not for Poe, who was a master at this. After reading this story, one will never lo

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 718
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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