1. “The Masque of the Red Death”

2. Do Now
Write down at least three common symbols found in film or literature and what they represent.

3. Symbolism connects the Theme
Symbol: a person, animal, thing, event, or idea that represents something in addition to itself
heart = love
cross = religion or Christianity
skull = death
red = passion, blood
white = purity, innocence
what could symbolize life? death? freedom? joy? hate?
***symbols help readers understand the meaning of the story by focusing on specific ideas related to the theme

4. Symbolism Connects the theme
Projected symbolism: The author writers without the intent to make things symbolic, but the reader can draw symbols from the story.
Intended symbolism: The author writes with the intent to make things symbolic or representative of something else

5. Allegory
set of recognizable symbols whose meanings combine to convey a message.
The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas as charity, greed, or envy.
allegory is a story with two meanings, a literal meaning and a symbolic meaning.

6. Summarize
Why have they retreated to the castle?

7. Characterization
How would you describe the Prince? Does he remind you of anyone you know?

8. Explain
Why are they so disturbed by the person dressed as the Red Death?

9. Group Work
In pairs, please analyze the meaning of the following symbols. Make a chart that includes the symbol, a meaning, and textual support.
The prince, the clock, the masquerade, the rooms, and the masked figure.

10. THEME: One cannot escape his or her fate or death.
B. What is the allegorical lesson in the story? (write in the 3rd Person)
THEME: One cannot escape his or her fate or death.

11. He represents mankind's futile attempt to live forever.
Prince Prospero
Wealth; prosperity
He represents mankind's futile attempt to live forever.

12. The Masquerade
Fantasy; escaping from reality

13. More specifically, the Red Death
The Masked Figure
Death in general;
More specifically, the Red Death

14. It symbolizes reality; their lives slowly ticking away.
The Clock
It symbolizes reality; their lives slowly ticking away.

15. The Seven Rooms Color association 7 phases of life ending in death
7 deadly sins

16. Going from East to West:
Blue
Purple
Green
Orange
White
Violet
Black/Red

17. Assignment
With a partner you need to design an illustration of one of the symbols mentioned on your study guide
Prince Prospero
The masquerade
The masked figure
The clock
Any of the seven rooms mentioned in the story

18. Requirements Front: Back: Your poster should include:
1.Illustration of the meaning of the symbol (example: Do not just draw a clock. Show how it represents reality.)
2.Quote or passage of the symbol on the illustration
Back:
1.Symbol you chose
2. Explanation for the meaning and use of this symbol as it relates to the theme.

19. Questions to Ponder
How does this symbol help develop the theme that death is inescapable?
What could this object represent and why?
What is the purpose of this object?
Who is affected by the object and how are they affected?
Do the colors or description help symbolize the object further?