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

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.

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 http://www.squidoo.com/black-death-history

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

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

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

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

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

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 http://www.needcoffee.com/2009/10/11/masque-red-death-audio/

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

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.

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

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.)

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

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

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

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

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

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