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Summary Final Research Essay (Example)_ENG 1120_Professor Kirsten Bussiere__ Title: Socioeconomic Prosperity: An Illusion of Immortality in Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death”

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ENG 1120

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University Of Ottawa (U Of O )

This is an A+ final research essay tailored for ENG 1120's "Apocalypse Then and Now" course, for Professor Kirsten Bussiere. Dive into the insightful analysis of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," meticulously researched and written. "Socioeconomic Prosperity: An Illusion of Immortali...

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final research essay
eng 1120
the masque of the red death
professor kirsten bussiere

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El Goussi 1

Maamoun El Goussi

Professor Kirsten Bussiere

ENG 1120 [D]

6 December 2022

Socioeconomic Prosperity: An Illusion of Immortality in Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death”

Apocalyptic fictions often have the recurring theme of the inevitability of death and the

powerlessness of humans to escape it. "The Masque of the Red Death" is a fictional short story

written by Edgar Allan Poe that conveys this message. Through its construction and

representation of social status, the story refers to the notion of the great equalizing nature of

death. The tale is an allegory about humanity’s inability to escape one’s demise. In the short story

“The Masque of the Red Death,” Poe makes use of symbols alluding to the Red Death and

regarding the structure and components of Prince Prospero’s castle to develop the theme of the

inescapable passage of time resulting in ineluctable death. The story serves as an allegory of

humankind’s futile attempts to escape one’s absolute fate, demonstrating that social and material

prosperity is merely an illusion of security as time ticks away regardless of social status or

wealth. This essay will mainly focus on the symbolic interpretation and significance of the

castle’s construction and masquerade party, the seven-colored chambers, and the ebony clock.

Poe’s short story is an important reminder of the non-discriminatory nature of death. With no

regard to aspects that divide humanity, death is an inherent truth that fundamentally equalizes

and unifies us all.

Firstly, the construction of the castle and the masquerade party are symbolic of class

division and the attempt by individuals of higher status to escape death, while alluding to prince

Prospero’s insanity, suggesting the delusion that is of attempting to avoid such a fate. Presented

, El Goussi 2

as an impenetrable fortress, the castle supposedly provides the safety the prince and his wealthy

friends so desperately seek, far from the exterior horror. Imagery plays a role in the vivid

description of the castle and the party, with the intent to portray the extraordinary wealth,

prosperity, and social status of the individuals, primarily the prince. However, it also showcases

Prospero's insanity towards the situation, as he escapes into “reality-denying fantasies”

(Halliburton 311). The castle is described as an “extensive and magnificent structure, the creation

of the prince's own eccentric yet august taste … There were buffoons, there were improvisators,

there were ballet-dancer there were musicians, there was Beauty, there was wine” (Poe 3).

Prospero escapes to a fictitious world of apparent safety within the castle that heavily contrasts

with the reality on the other side of the walls.

The setting in which the story unfolds early on depicts the arrogance of the prince and his

separation not only on a social level but also from reality. As the pandemic rages, the prince

attempts to shield himself with his riches, letting the external world “take care of itself” (Poe 3).

In the process, creating a class boundary between individuals of higher and lower social status,

which the castle walls represent. The latter, along with the masquerade party, additionally sets

forth the prince’s separation on a mental level as means of defense. While terror reins outside,

Prospero is “happy and dauntless and sagacious” and responds to the death of half the kingdom

by summoning “to his presence a thousand hale and light-hearted friends” (Poe 3), which further

underlines Prospero's insanity. Through both mental and physical retreats, the prince and his

companions “construct and maintain a pose of indifference to death” (Wheat 51). By isolating

and distracting himself alongside his company, the prince creates a false sense of security within

the castle walls. His social and materialistic prosperity, which is emphasized given not only his

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