Essay Breakdown The Task: Poe Essay Mood is defined as the feeling or atmosphere a writer creates for the reader through language use. Identify the mood of “Hop- Frog” and of “The Masque of the Red Death” based on the single effect Poe was attempting to achieve. Explain how Poe uses literary elements and techniques (foreshadowing, imagery, symbols, word choice, etc.) to convey the mood of each story.

Introduction Edgar Allan Poe was a master of the disturbing plot, making him one of America’s first horror authors. His stories deal with dark and grotesque themes, and every word is chosen with utmost care for the effect it will have on the reader. Poe crafted his stories carefully, using language to its fullest potential to create a single effect on those reading his works. Every image and description, as well as the mood, of each story is deliberate.

Introduction Broken Down Broad & general “hook” statement. Funnel! First mention of themes and introduction of effect. “Single effect” from task is a result of Poe’s use of language. Begins thesis. Details thesis: Poe used language purposefully to create a single effect. Edgar Allan Poe was a master of the disturbing plot, making him one of America’s first horror authors. His stories deal with dark and grotesque themes, and every word is chosen with utmost care for the effect it will have on the reader. Poe crafted his stories carefully, using language to its fullest potential to create a single effect on those reading his works. Every image and description, as well as the mood, of each story is deliberate.

Body Paragraph #1 One story that demonstrates Poe’s careful and intentional use of language is “The Masque of the Red Death.” Poe uses imagery, foreshadowing, and symbolism to create an atmosphere of foreboding, of the fear of death. For example, Poe describes the symptoms and effects of the Red Death, a plague he invented based on the bubonic plague, or Black Death, that decimated Europe’s population in the 1300’s. The description of the disease is highly detailed, and the details are disturbing. Poe paints the picture of bleeding sores on the victims so vividly the reader cannot help but be disgusted. Since these descriptions occur early on in the story, the reader is provided with background information as to why Prince Prospero would seek out the safety of his fortress. He does so to escape the plague, but he cannot escape death forever, as Poe quickly shows.

BP #1 Broken Down Topic sentence: Connection between thesis (“Careful and intentional use of language”) and first story. Techniques used in story and to what effect. (Imagery, foreshadowing, symbolism  foreboding & fear of death) First example of technique use introduced. One story that demonstrates Poe’s careful and intentional use of language is “The Masque of the Red Death.” Poe uses imagery, foreshadowing, and symbolism to create an atmosphere of foreboding, of the fear of death. For example, Poe describes the symptoms and effects of the Red Death, a plague he invented based on the bubonic plague, or Black Death, that decimated Europe’s population in the 1300’s.

BP #1 Cont’d Broken Down Connects example (Red Death), technique (description), and thematic idea (disturbing). Specifies exactly how this achieved and its effect. Further explanation, esp. of exposition. Connects exposition to theme of fear of death. The description of the disease is highly detailed, and the details are disturbing. Poe paints the picture of bleeding sores on the victims so vividly the reader cannot help but be disgusted. Since these descriptions occur early on in the story, the reader is provided with background information as to why Prince Prospero would seek out the safety of his fortress. He does so to escape the plague, but he cannot escape death forever, as Poe quickly shows.

Body Paragraph #2 The Prince and his nobles are in the fortress for about six months when the Prince throws a huge costume ball. Again, Poe uses imagery to paint a picture of this event for the reader. The chambers in which the masquerade is held are lit through stained glass windows and decorated in uniform colors: the blue room has blue furniture and draperies, and blue windows. Poe uses these chambers to show the Prince’s eccentricities as well as foreshadow the strange events that are to occur. One room of the seven is incongruous in its decorations. The black room, with the black furniture and huge ebony clock, has red windows, so the light coming in is red and bathes the partygoers in a ghastly red glow. This symbolizes the Red Death itself, since its victims are literally painted with red blood as their sores bleed. This image also adds to the gloomy, spooky mood of the story. It is a grotesque and disturbing image.

BP #2 Broken Down Necessary plot information that introduces ball and leads to color imagery. Imagery! And its purpose and effect! Explanation of how color imagery is used. The Prince and his nobles are in the fortress for about six months when the Prince throws a huge costume ball. Again, Poe uses imagery to paint a picture of this event for the reader. The chambers in which the masquerade is held are lit through stained glass windows and decorated in uniform colors: the blue room has blue furniture and draperies, and blue windows.

BP #2 Cont’d Broken Down Same broad example, also used in another technique (foreshadowing). Specific, narrower example. Use of colors to create an effect. (“ghastly”) Poe uses these chambers to show the Prince’s eccentricities as well as foreshadow the strange events that are to occur. One room of the seven is incongruous in its decorations. The black room, with the black furniture and huge ebony clock, has red windows, so the light coming in is red and bathes the partygoers in a ghastly red glow.

BP #2 Cont’d Broken Down Hey! ANOTHER technique! Narrowing down example further to show its symbolism. Connects image (which also lends foreshadowing and symbolism) back to the mood/single effect. (“gloomy, spooky”) Reiterates thematic idea of horror and fear. This symbolizes the Red Death itself, since its victims are literally painted with red blood as their sores bleed. This image also adds to the gloomy, spooky mood of the story. It is a grotesque and disturbing image.

Body Paragraph #3 The clock is a symbol of time, and thus mortality. It has an eerie chime, and every hour when it rings the partygoers stop dancing and the music stops. The revelers stand around silently, unhappily, as the clock chimes. They do not know why they are so affected by the clock, but the reader understands that as each hour passes, their deaths are drawing closer, literally and figuratively. Literally, the stranger is coming at midnight to infect the nobles. Figuratively, every moment that passes is one less moment of life. This is what the characters fail to see. When the stranger appears, the nobles are disturbed and angered by his costume, because his mask is covered in blood. Prospero dies trying to attack the stranger, and the nobles die soon after, leaving the Red Death as ruler over the fortress. The overall feeling of the story is that death, though perhaps far off, is ever approaching. This leaves the reader uncomfortable, angry, disgusted, and disturbed, exactly as Poe intended.

BP #3 Broken Down Still working with black chamber image, now narrowed down to clock’s symbolism. Detail explanation, plus “eerie” = overall mood. Clock’s effect on nobles. Reader’s understanding of the symbolism. The clock is a symbol of time, and thus mortality. It has an eerie chime, and every hour when it rings the partygoers stop dancing and the music stops. The revelers stand around silently, unhappily, as the clock chimes. They do not know why they are so affected by the clock, but the reader understands that as each hour passes, their deaths are drawing closer, literally and figuratively.

BP #3 Cont’d Broken Down Explains symbol’s literal meaning. Explains figurative meaning (i.e. why it’s a symbol). Necessary short sentence! Stranger = death, so this highlights the thematic idea of fear of death. Literally, the stranger is coming at midnight to infect the nobles. Figuratively, every moment that passes is one less moment of life. This is what the characters fail to see. When the stranger appears, the nobles are disturbed and angered by his costume, because his mask is covered in blood.

BP #3 Cont’d Broken Down Emphasizes fear of death (because it happens). Morbid, creepy idea. Summarizes mood of story. Refers back to Poe’s deliberate creation of a mood/single effect (thesis). Prospero dies trying to attack the stranger, and the nobles die soon after, leaving the Red Death as ruler over the fortress. The overall feeling of the story is that death, though perhaps far off, is ever approaching. This leaves the reader uncomfortable, angry, disgusted, and disturbed, exactly as Poe intended.

Body Paragraph #4 “Hop-Frog” is another story set among royalty, and another example of Poe’s deliberate use of language and elements to enhance the effect his story has on readers. Once again, Poe uses imagery and foreshadowing, as well as character development, to create a single effect. This time, however, the theme of the story is vengeance, and though the atmosphere is still dark, it is the darkness of the human soul that Poe explores, rather than a grand, overarching theme of death. In “The Masque of the Red Death,” the reader is distanced from the characters; we are horrified by the manner of their deaths, but not saddened because Poe does not flesh them out or develop them sufficiently to induce our sympathy. Instead, they are rather stock characters. They fit a particular mold that it is their only purpose to fit. However, the characters in “Hop-Frog,” especially the title character, are given much more dimension.

BP #4 Broken Down Introduces second story, connecting it to first story (“set among royalty”) and thesis (“deliberate use of language…to enhance effect…”) Two same techniques (imagery, foreshadowing) and characterization. Differences between 2 stories, sets up 2 nd story analysis. “Hop-Frog” is another story set among royalty, and another example of Poe’s deliberate use of language and elements to enhance the effect his story has on readers. Once again, Poe uses imagery and foreshadowing, as well as character development, to create a single effect. This time, however, the theme of the story is vengeance, and though the atmosphere is still dark, it is the darkness of the human soul that Poe explores, rather than a grand, overarching theme of death.

BP #4 Cont’d Broken Down Explains why no characterization analysis in 1 st story. Keeps explaining. Explains further! Presents difference in characterization. In “The Masque of the Red Death,” the reader is distanced from the characters; we are horrified by the manner of their deaths, but not saddened because Poe does not flesh them out or develop them sufficiently to induce our sympathy. Instead, they are rather stock characters. They fit a particular mold that it is their only purpose to fit. However, the characters in “Hop-Frog,” especially the title character, are given much more dimension.

Body Paragraph #5 Hop-Frog himself is a dwarf whose legs are weak and deformed, making him the butt of many of the king’s cruel jokes. The king and his advisors may not be fully developed, but the reader understands more about them than about Prince Prospero. They are fat, self-absorbed, cruel men who take pleasure in jokes, especially those practical jokes that humiliate others. Poe outlines their characters and describes their harsh treatment of Hop-Frog in order to create a motive for Hop-Frog’s revenge. The reader may not agree with Hop-Frog’s methods, but he or she feels more pity for Hop-Frog than for the king.

BP #5 Broken Down Gives detail about Hop- Frog’s character and why it causes problems. Info about king and how he differs from royalty of 1 st story. Shows how king’s character traits have a directly cause the conflict. Hop-Frog himself is a dwarf whose legs are weak and deformed, making him the butt of many of the king’s cruel jokes. The king and his advisors may not be fully developed, but the reader understands more about them than about Prince Prospero. They are fat, self-absorbed, cruel men who take pleasure in jokes, especially those practical jokes that humiliate others.

BP #5 Cont’d Broken Down Shows why characterization of king is necessary (fuels plot). Why the grotesque events of story don’t anger the reader. Poe outlines their characters and describes their harsh treatment of Hop-Frog in order to create a motive for Hop-Frog’s revenge. The reader may not agree with Hop-Frog’s methods, but he or she feels more pity for Hop-Frog than for the king.

Body Paragraph #6 Though Poe was writing in the 1830’s and 1840’s, long before modern psychology, he understands the inner workings of human thought and emotion, and this understanding is shown in “Hop-Frog.” The king and his advisors love games and tricks and jokes; they are shallow and overconfident in their power, an overconfidence proved by their physical corpulence. Hop-Frog’s deformity shows the reader that people are people no matter what they look like, and all people have a breaking point. Also, his deformity makes his revenge even more satisfying. He may not be able to walk well, but he can climb, an ability he uses to his advantage when he hangs the king and the advisors from the chandelier and then escapes through the hole in the ceiling. By making Hop-Frog a crippled dwarf, Poe creates a reason for his persecution and a method for his revenge.

BP #6 Broken Down Characterization  motives, in an explanation of Poe’s techniques and mastery. King + jokes = jerk  internal traits manifested in external traits. Connection to Hop-Frog’s external traits affecting his internal traits. Though Poe was writing in the 1830’s and 1840’s, long before modern psychology, he understands the inner workings of human thought and emotion, and this understanding is shown in “Hop-Frog.” The king and his advisors love games and tricks and jokes; they are shallow and overconfident in their power, an overconfidence proved by their physical corpulence. Hop-Frog’s deformity shows the reader that people are people no matter what they look like, and all people have a breaking point.

BP #6 Cont’d Broken Down Hop-Frog’s character traits affect the reader’s mood. External trait he is ridiculed for ironically works to his advantage. Poe’s deliberate choice for Hop-Frog’s deformity – there is a point! Also, his deformity makes his revenge even more satisfying. He may not be able to walk well, but he can climb, an ability he uses to his advantage when he hangs the king and the advisors from the chandelier and then escapes through the hole in the ceiling. By making Hop-Frog a crippled dwarf, Poe creates a reason for his persecution and a method for his revenge.

Body Paragraph #7 Why are there so many?!? ‘Cause that’s what makes it GOOD. Poe uses imagery and foreshadowing to explain the complex revenge plot. We don’t know exactly what is going to happen, but when we read the description of the rotunda where the masquerade is to take place, we begin to see what Hop-Frog has in store for the king. We know something is going to happen with the chains and the chandelier hook, even if we cannot discern what that something is until it has happened. Even when Hop-Frog jumps onto the chain with a torch and waves it in the king’s face, the reader is still incredulous that Hop-Frog actually intends to kill the king by setting him on fire. Modern readers may not know what flax is, but those who do and those readers during Poe’s era would understand that it is a fiber used to make cloth, which means Hop-Frog deliberately covered the king and advisors in two flammable materials: flax and tar.

BP #7 Broken Down Techniques which enhance the plot and theme of the story (revenge). How imagery contributes to foreshadowing. How details contribute to foreshadowing. Poe uses imagery and foreshadowing to explain the complex revenge plot. We don’t know exactly what is going to happen, but when we read the description of the rotunda where the masquerade is to take place, we begin to see what Hop- Frog has in store for the king. We know something is going to happen with the chains and the chandelier hook, even if we cannot discern what that something is until it has happened.

BP #7 Cont’d Broken Down Connects to grotesque theme and continues reader’s disbelief. Highlights Poe’s deliberate choice of flammable materials. Even when Hop-Frog jumps onto the chain with a torch and waves it in the king’s face, the reader is still incredulous that Hop-Frog actually intends to kill the king by setting him on fire. Modern readers may not know what flax is, but those who do and those readers during Poe’s era would understand that it is a fiber used to make cloth, which means Hop-Frog deliberately covered the king and advisors in two flammable materials: flax and tar.

Body Paragraph #8 Poe foreshadows the king’s demise in several ways. Not only does the reader wonder at the orangutan costumes Hop-Frog devises, but the reader is also already aware of Hop-Frog’s intense hatred for the king. By giving so much background detail about the king’s and Hop-Frog’s characters, Poe creates sympathy for Hop-Frog’s plight early on. The king makes Hop-Frog drink wine, which he knows Hop-Frog abhors, but the final straw comes when the king hits Trippetta, Hop-Frog’s only friend. The sole indication anyone – the reader, the king, his advisors – has that something is wrong is the mysterious grinding sound that is heard after Trippetta is hit. The men assume it came from a parrot chewing on the metal cage around the window, but later on, when the men are hanging from the chandelier hook, it is heard again, and this time Poe reveals that the sound was Hop-Frog grinding his fang-like teeth. The initial sound is a clue that something will go horribly wrong during the masquerade, since it occurs just before Hop-Frog reveals his idea for the orangutan costumes. The reader knows instinctively that vengeance will be had, though Poe intentionally keeps his final surprise for the end. The result is the reader, though disgusted at the torched bodies of the king and advisors, is satisfied in Hop-Frog’s revenge.

BP #8 Broken Down Introduces foreshadowing. Points out clues for the reader that something is up. The effect Poe’s characterization techniques have on the reader’s mood. Details that garner readers’ sympathy. Poe foreshadows the king’s demise in several ways. Not only does the reader wonder at the orangutan costumes Hop-Frog devises, but the reader is also already aware of Hop-Frog’s intense hatred for the king. By giving so much background detail about the king’s and Hop- Frog’s characters, Poe creates sympathy for Hop-Frog’s plight early on. The king makes Hop-Frog drink wine, which he knows Hop-Frog abhors, but the final straw comes when the king hits Trippetta, Hop-Frog’s only friend.

BP #8 Cont’d Broken Down Foreshadowing, sound imagery, and emphasis on the eerie & grotesque. Repetition of imagery, in another tense & violent moment. The sole indication anyone – the reader, the king, his advisors – has that something is wrong is the mysterious grinding sound that is heard after Trippetta is hit. The men assume it came from a parrot chewing on the metal cage around the window, but later on, when the men are hanging from the chandelier hook, it is heard again, and this time Poe reveals that the sound was Hop-Frog grinding his fang-like teeth.

BP #8 Cont’d Broken Down How foreshadowing is implemented. Poe uses foreshadowing and pacing purposefully. This reflects the thesis. Deliberate use of language and literary techniques contributes to reader’s mood/single effect. (Thesis) The initial sound is a clue that something will go horribly wrong during the masquerade, since it occurs just before Hop-Frog reveals his idea for the orangutan costumes. The reader knows instinctively that vengeance will be had, though Poe intentionally keeps his final surprise for the end. The result is the reader, though disgusted at the torched bodies of the king and advisors, is satisfied in Hop-Frog’s revenge.

Conclusion (Whew!) Poe’s writing was always careful and deliberate; he used language and literary elements such as foreshadowing and imagery to entice his readers and create a single effect. Stories like “Hop-Frog” and “The Masque of the Red Death” fully demonstrate this purposeful planning. Each story keeps the reader interested and guessing until the very end, proving that Poe was a master of suspenseful storytelling.

Conclusion Broken Down Reiteration of the thesis – reworded, not simply repeated. Notice! Reverse funnel! Reconnects stories analyzed to thesis. Final summation – notice the SUMMARY of the essay as a whole! We have returned to a broad assessment of Poe! Poe’s writing was always careful and deliberate; he used language and literary elements such as foreshadowing and imagery to entice his readers and create a single effect. Stories like “Hop-Frog” and “The Masque of the Red Death” fully demonstrate this purposeful planning. Each story keeps the reader interested and guessing until the very end, proving that Poe was a master of suspenseful storytelling.

Aaaaaaaaannndd we’re done! (Woot!)