“The Masque of the Red Death”, a fictional story by Edgar Allen Poe tells the story of an epidemic, the Red Death, which plagues an entire country. Throughout this unnamed land, the Red Death inflicts citizens left and right. The ruler of thus stated land, Prince Prospero, possesses no sympathy for his people, yet wishes to make sure he doesn’t receive the terrible disease. Therefore Prospero confines himself within the gates of his castle, keeping the virus out of his walls. After months of seclusion, he decides to host a masked ball. At the ball, a masked man disguised as a victim of the Red Death parades through the castle, angering Prince Prospero. Prince Prospero and many others follow the masked man into a room and upon entering they fall dead. Throughout this work, the author portrays his inevitable theme. Death is an inescapable element of life; he who has life must eventually see death. Symbolism, one of the basic elements of fiction, is seemingly employed throughout “The Masque of the Red Death”, contributing to the quality of this author’s work.
Setting is an essential component of fiction. The setting of a story can easily change the perspective of a reader and how they think of the characters. Setting also sets the atmosphere of a story for a reader and makes the reader determine whether the story is realistic or not. Depending on the story it is sometimes unnecessary to have a detailed setting. This gives the story irony and makes the reader wonder what will happen next. Therefore, setting – the period in time or the place, in which the events of a story take place, is needed in a good fiction story.
Throughout the country, the Red Death is plaguing multitudes of citizens, killing many. Stated in the story, “The Red Death had long devastated the country”. While the whole country was suffering, Prince Prospero has no worries, with the exception of making sure he didn’t contract the virus. Meanwhile, the rest of the country was going through their worst nightmare: one of torture and agony. The prince decides for him and his friends to have a secluded party within his great castle. The story puts it, “When his dominions where half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hale and lighthearted friends from the nights and dames of his court, and with these retired to seclusion”. Within the secluded castle, the prince and his friends still enjoyed all the benefit and luxuries of wealth. According to the story, they had wine, buffoons, improvisatory, dancers, and even beauty. The Prince had all he wanted. It wasn’t much different than his regular life. Even with all of his luxuries, the Prince could have helped out his country. Prospero had been able to cater to his tons of friends with no complaining. Yet, Prince Prospero let his people suffer. All his partying is what eventually led to and was the direct cause of his sudden death in the castle.
Symbols are the other element of fiction the author uses well in his story. A symbol is some thing used to portray a certain meaning to a reader. Symbols add spice to a story and make a reader analyze what the author is trying to portray. Symbols also effectively bring a story “alive” by placing hidden meanings, making a reader “read between the lines. Symbols definitely contribute to a good quality work of fiction.
The amount of symbols throughout “The Masque of the Red Death” is quite substantial. The author, Poe, shows many different symbols during the story. The first symbol illustrated in this story was the gate. In the story, it states “This was an extensive and magnificent structure, the creation of the Prince’s own august taste. A strong and lofty wall was girdled in it. This wall had gates of iron”. Prince Prospero hides within a strong gate to keep The Red Death from infecting him, but it still found its way in. The gate symbolized that even though you may be able to lock out your problems, eventually you will have to face them. This directly relates to the theme. Prince Prospero tried to evade his death, but his seclusion and partying, in fact led to his death. The second symbol the author uses to illustrate the theme is the seven chambers. The seven chambers went from east to west. This was used to portray the beginning and the end in correspondence with the rising and setting of the sun. The last or ending chamber, placed at the extreme west is where most the chaos occurs during the masquerade. The seventh chamber symbolized that it was the end or your concluding stage in life. The clock placed in this room was also a symbol. Its chime was there as a loud warning to stay away- “and when the minute-hand made the circuit of the face, and the hour was to be stricken, there came from the brazen lungs of the clock a sound which was clear and loud.” It is used to show that your time is running out. As the clock strikes it is a reminder that you have an hour less to live. Symbols portray a great meaning throughout this book, very significantly supporting the theme.
The Masque of the Red Death”, by Edgar Allen Poe, proves to be a great story. It effectively uses the elements of fiction. It details many aspects and gives great symbolism. These symbols are necessary is supporting the theme in the story: he who has life must eventually have inescapable death. “The Masque of the Red Death”, indeed a first class fiction story.
