All about allegories and irony.~

  The Masque of the Red Death is a story of symbolism and allegory. Everything from the arrangement of the rooms to Prince Prospero's name has a secret meaning.

    When the Prince's name comes up, it brings to mind prosperous, rich, extravagant people. Prince Prospero represents someone who is fortunate. He would have the best luck. His name is ironic because, in the end, he ends up dying a terrible death.

    The rooms are arranged from east to west. In the east, the rooms are bright, like the sunrise. In the west, the rooms are darker, more ominous colors, sunset. The arrangement of the rooms also symbolizes a human life.

    The ebony clock that terrifies everyone represents both the time of a life and death.  It follows people wherever they are. When the clock rings, it reminds the people inside that death is upon them and people outside are still dying. Even though they turned their backs to the Red Death, it doesn't mean it is gone. It still kills people they once knew. When the clock finally stops ringing, everyone in the castle is dead.

    The torches in each of the rooms represent life. In the final black room, it is the only bit of light in the room. It, and all the torches in the other rooms, goes out when Prince Prospero dies.

     People in the book are completely afraid of the black room in the house. It represents the fear of death. The windows in the room are blood red and cast a creepy feeling over the entire room.

     There is a theme that there is no way to run from death and fear. It is a part of life that nobody can run from no matter how much they try.