1. What is the “Red Death? Explain how it affects its victims. 2. Briefly describe the seven rooms in which the masked ball is held.

3. Describe the clock that stands in the seventh room. What happens each time the clock chimes?

4. How are the guests dressed for the ball? What are some words Poe uses to describe their appearance?

5. How does Prince Prospero react to the midnight guest? What happens to the prince? To his guests?

6. In your opinion, what does Prince Prospero’s response to the “red Death” reveal about his character?

7. Why do you think the prince decorated the rooms the way he did?

8. What do you think the clock symbolizes?

9. How is the appearance of the “midnight guest” similar to that of the other guests? How is it different?

10. At the end of the story, Poe alludes to a biblical prophecy that the day of judgment will come “as a thief in the night”. Why do you think Poe makes this allusion?

11. In your opinion, what is the theme of the story?

Discussion Questions - Provide 3 to four sentences per discussion question.

1. How does social-economic status affect if one survives or falls victim to the Red Death?

2. What do you make of the colors of the chambers? Furthermore, there is an emphasis on the most eastern chamber being blue and the most western being black velvet and red. Why might this be?

3. How do the prince and his guests act like a disease in a body?

4. How do you think the Red Death entered the Prince’s abbey that was sealed in “deep seclusion” from the rest of the world?