Symbolism In “The Masque of the Red Death”
... more than one at a time. There was a sharp turn at every twenty or thirty yards, and at each turn a novel effect.” “Poe shows that the path of life is not easily predictable (Kennedy).” Furthermore, each window in the first six rooms were all the same color as the room they looked upon, while the window in black room cast a red hue on a large ebony clock on its western wall. Poe used this color to link the relationship of time and death. The ebony clock at the end of the seven rooms signified the end of life (Menon). It is possible to look at this as if one cannot foresee their own death. This is because around every corner there is something new, and because of this no one can see when death will come, but at the end, death will always be waiting. Every time this clock tolled it struck fear into everyone there. The clock reminded everyone hourly that the end was getting closer (Barthes 7). Poe wrote,” the musicians of the orchestra were constrained to pause, momentarily, in their performance, to hearken to the sound; and thus the waltzers perforce ceased their evolution’s; and there was a brief disconcert of the whole gay company; and, while the chimes of the clock yet rang, it was observed that the giddiest grew pale, and the more aged and sedate passed their hands over their brows as if in confused reverie or meditation.” When the clock stopped chiming everyone would go back to what they were doing, and become happy again, while the dismissed the circumstances at hand. Eventually as the night grew older the party proceeded towards the black room. The clock struck midnight and the music stopped and everyone noticed the presence of a “masked figure which had arrested the attention of no individual before”. The prince had done everything he thought he could do to keep the red death away (Dudley). Poe had earlier described how the prince and his courtiers were safe behind the strong and lofty walls. “This wall had gates of iron. The courtiers, having entered, brought furnaces and massy hammers and welded the bolts.” Poe also said that “The external world could take care of itself. The prince had provided all the appliances of pleasure.” This was an aside by Poe that points out the prince’s selfish attitude, regardless of current guests he claims to be saving (Bell 104). Finally, a masked figure appears in the shadow of the ebony clock on the last stroke of midnight. This infuriated the prince who demanded that the mask be removed. The prince then proceeds to follow the masked figure into the black room armed with a dagger. Poe wrote,” There was a sh...