I Test Questions
Provide a one page response for each. Be sure to begin your response with a topic sentence which incorporates the prompt and the TAG. Use transition words where appropriate.
1) The pestilence Poe describes in the opening of “The Masque of the Red Death” resembles a real disease. Refer to both Poe’s graphic description of the “Red Death,” as well as your disease research, and discuss:
a) How the two diseases are the same
b) How the two diseases differ
2) Discuss how “The Masque of the Red Death” functions as an allegory. Be sure to incorporate Poe’s use of symbols in your response.
II Preparing to Respond to the Prompts
Question 1:
| Common Traits | Your Research | Poe's Red Death: evidence from story |
| 1) | ||
| 2) | ||
| 3) |
| Contrasting Traits | Your Research | Poe's Red Death: evidence from story |
| 1) | ||
| 2) | ||
| 3) |
Sample Topic Sentence and set up for comparison of traits:
The fictional disease which Poe creates in his gothic short story "The Masque of the Red Death" both resembles and differs from tuberculosis. For example both Poe's Red Death and tuberculosis share three traits: ksdgfls, aklsjgh, and aksgfha. The Red Death causes dissolution within thirty minutes, and tuberculosis . . .
Question 2:
a) Check your notes for the definition of allegory.
b) Refer to your symbol chart.
| Item | Meaning/Function in Narrative Level | Meaning/Function in Symbolic Level |
| Prince Prospero | ||
| Revelers | ||
| Rooms: colors and arrangement in Abbey | ||
| Red Death | ||
| Clock |
Sample Topic Sentence and start up:
Edgar Allan Poe's gothic short story "The Masque of the Red Death" is an allegorical tale about an eccentric, cowardly prince who goes to extremes to avoid contracting a deadly disease. On a narrative level, Prince Prospero . . . [Insert the narrative information from the chart as you have analyzed it]
However, on a symbolic level . . . [Insert the symbolic information from the chart as you have analyzed it. Remember to incorporate Poe's message.]