Poe

The Masque of the Red Death Poe uses heavy symbolism throughout the story to convey his underlying theme: the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to escape death. The prince's name, Prospero, generally denotes happiness and prosperity. The Prince possesses these characteristics yet is faced with a plague that he desperately attempting to avoid. This oxymoron is used to hint that this man of exuberance will soon be faced with tragedy. The fires …

…ent that cannot be predicted. It is undetectable; a matter disguised as a variety of things in which its victims are unable to escape from. Death is superior to all defying powers and can overcome anything, as it overcomes Prospero's "impenetrable" walls to claim his victims. Poe is highly successful in showing the importance of symbolism to visualize death. His creative meanings behind several objects in the story further his reinforce theme of death's inevitability.