“Through the Tunnel” Main Character- Jerry 11 years old, only child, dad is dead Fascinated by older, local boys because they are diving from a rock and swimming through an underwater tunnel

Main Character- Jerry The underwater tunnel is a challenge for Jerry. He is frightened by it yet determined to swim through it. He carefully plans and practices for several days before attempting to swim through it.

Minor Character- Jerry’s mother Slightly overprotective Allows him to go to the bay as a way of not being too overprotective Helps Jerry unknowingly by buying him swimming goggles

Symbols used in the story- Safe beach- Jerry’s childhood Wild bay- the next stage in Jerry’s maturity into adulthood Tunnel- a challenge or goal for Jerry, one of the most important symbols Swimming through the tunnel- Jerry’s maturing

The theme of the story- People set goals for themselves to prove that they can accomplish something. Proving one’s worth is never an easy task.

“The Masque of the Red Death” Red Death- a spreading infectious disease Red Death- symbolic of the bubonic plague Bubonic plague- transmitted to humans through the bites from infected fleas

Bubonic Plague People in the 14 th century reacted to the plague by- Eating lightly and avoiding visitors Enjoying life and ignoring the threat of the disease Fleeing to their country homes, hoping to escape the disease

Setting Prince Prospero’s abbey Seven colored rooms that are not connected to each other or situated in a straight line Rooms go in a east to west direction

Setting Each room is a certain color with a matching stained glass window except the last one. That rooms is black and has a red stained glass window. This room also has an ebony clock that chimes at each hour.

Prince Prospero A man who enjoys life- good company and entertainment Has 1000 of his closest friends stay at his abbey to escape the Red Death

Prince Prospero He is appalled at the intruder who comes to his masquerade dressed as the Red Death. He draws his dagger and chases him through each room, ending at the black room.

Prince Prospero He falls to his death- a victim of the Red Death. One by one everyone else dies as the clock is chiming midnight. The prince is symbol for anyone that thinks that he can escape death.

The theme of the story- No one can escape death. Death will always master life. Prince Prospero tried to escape the Red Death by closing himself and his friends in his abbey, but the Red Death gets in and kills them all.

Possible essay questions- Define symbolism. Identify the symbols used in “The Masque of the Red Death” and explain what they stand for in the story.

Explain how Jerry is a dynamic character in “Through the Tunnel.” Identify the change that he goes through and what motivated this change in him.

What is the theme of Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death”? Discuss the theme in relation to the story, namely Prince Prospero.