Thematic Analysis of 'The Masque of the Red Death'

In Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Mask of the Red Death,' a deadly plague known as the Red Death devastates the land. Prince Prospero, seeking to escape the disease, secludes himself and a thousand courtiers in an opulent abbey. They indulge in a lavish masquerade ball, oblivious to the suffering outside. The ball is held in a series of uniquely decorated rooms, each with a different color theme. A mysterious masked figure, resembling a victim of the Red Death, appears, causing fear and chaos. Prince Prospero confronts the figure but falls dead. The figure is revealed to be the Red Death itself, which claims the lives of all the revelers, leaving darkness and decay in its wake.

What was the primary symptom of the Red Death?

• Fever

• Coughing

• Rashes

• Profuse bleeding

How did Prince Prospero react to the plague?

• He ignored it

• He isolated himself with friends

• He sought a cure

• He fled the country

What was unique about the abbey's defenses?

• It was on an island

• It had a moat

• It had welded iron gates

• It was underground

What types of entertainment were provided in the abbey?

• Plays

• Ballet dancers and musicians

• Concerts

• Movies

How were the seven rooms in the abbey decorated?

• With statues

• With mirrors

• With different colors

• With paintings

What was the atmosphere like in the black room?

• Eerie and ghastly

• Cheerful

• Calm

• Bright

What effect did the clock have on the revelers?

• It made them dance

• It made them laugh

• It made them pause and reflect

• It made them sing

What was unusual about the masked figure?

• It was very short

• It was invisible

• It was dressed as a clown

• It resembled a corpse

How did Prince Prospero react to the masked figure?

• He confronted it with anger

• He ignored it

• He laughed at it

• He welcomed it

What was revealed about the masked figure at the end?

• It was a friend in disguise

• It was a ghost

• It was the Red Death itself

• It was a trick