Reading Log notes: “Masque of the Red Death” Background: Allegory--narrative in which characters and/or settings stand for abstract ideas or morals Allegory--narrative in which characters and/or settings stand for abstract ideas or morals Red Death (blood); pain, sudden dizziness/ profuse bleeding from the pores; scarlet stains upon body (especially face) Red Death (blood); pain, sudden dizziness/ profuse bleeding from the pores; scarlet stains upon body (especially face) Caused by germs of fleas and rats Caused by germs of fleas and rats “ring around the rosy” “ring around the rosy”

Reading Log notes: “Masque of the Red Death” Discussion: Plan of Prince Prospero’s for survival? Plan of Prince Prospero’s for survival?  Isolation What is unusual about the seven chambered rooms where the masquerade ball is held? What is unusual about the seven chambered rooms where the masquerade ball is held?  Different colored rooms with illumination through the stained glass windowed corridors

Reading Log notes: “Masque of the Red Death” Discussion Climax of story---what happens? Climax of story---what happens?  Red death appears, confronts Prince Prospero What happens at the end of the story? What happens at the end of the story?  Prospero is killed by the “Red Death” itself

Reading Log notes: “Masque of the Red Death” Symbolism in the story: Chiming of the clock---when? Chiming of the clock---when?  Mystery & suspense/ passage of time When does the “Red Death” appear? When does the “Red Death” appear?  12 o’clock (midnight)---witching hour Significance of numbers? Significance of numbers?  7 chambers (magic #)  12 o’clock

Reading Log notes: “Masque of the Red Death” Symbolism in the story: Significance of movement: Significance of movement:  East to west (sunrise/sunset=birth/death) Major theme in this selection? Major theme in this selection? –“Those who insulate themselves against such ills, like death, are only cherishing an illusion.”