As we embark on this journey through The Masque of the Red Death, let us approach it not as a grim tale of despair, but as an allegory of transformation.
Introduction: Setting the Stage
Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death is far more than a haunting tale of a prince and his revelers succumbing to a mysterious plague. Beneath its gothic surface lies a profound allegory of the human experience: our relationship with mortality, the masks we wear, and the shadows we fear. Written in the mid-19th century, Poe’s story transcends its time, offering rich symbolism that speaks directly to the journey of awakening and realization.
