The Three Strangers By Thomas Hardy and A Vendetta By Guy De Maupassant Essay Example

The Three Strangers By Thomas Hardy and A Vendetta By Guy De Maupassant Essay Both these stories build up mystery. However, because they are written in different ways, there is significant contrast in the way the two stories are built up. Hardys story is longer, and has much more detail than Maupassants. Hardys has more characters and there is a twist in the tale. Maupassants is simpler, to the point and only has one character. These differences in structure contribute to the contrasting styles in which the mystery is built up. The setting at the beginning of The Three Strangers, plays a big part in creating mystery. Thomas Hardy describes a lonely cottage (page 130) as solitary. The way he describes this leads the reader to think that if anything happens out there, no one would know about it. Hardys descriptive use of the weather when he says the level rainstorm (on page 131), creates an atmosphere that plays on the readers emotions. The setting for Maupassants story builds up mystery too. It opens with a horrific murder. On page 201, we are told that the victim was treacherously knifed. This is important, as straight away there is some action in it, which makes us wonder whats going to happen next. This is a clever way to build up mystery. We will write a custom essay sample on The Three Strangers By Thomas Hardy and A Vendetta By Guy De Maupassant specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Three Strangers By Thomas Hardy and A Vendetta By Guy De Maupassant specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Three Strangers By Thomas Hardy and A Vendetta By Guy De Maupassant specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Like Maupassants, Hardys story gets to the point almost straight away: an incident had occurred (page 133). This is mysterious, because it doesnt tell you what the incident was until a little bit later. This builds up suspension and mystery very well. As the first stranger ascends the hill, Hardy develops mystery by using nature. The time of day helps when on page 134, it says the time of full moon. The sense of mystery is developed further through this, as a full moon is often associated with mysterious events. The way the first stranger walks also brings out the mystery in him. It says on page 134 there was caution in it, referring to his walk. This makes us wonder why and leads the reader to think that the man is scared of something, mystery being built, as we dont as yet know what the danger is. On several occasions, Hardy refers to the first stranger as a solitary pedestrian. This adds to the mystery rather well because if one is alone, no one will know if something happens to you. Later, as he is about to enter the house, the first pedestrian is described to be mentally looking through the door (page 135). This shows that he might be uncomfortable with what the people inside might ask him. This is backed up by the quotation on page 135. The question of his entry. This argument could be reinforced by the quotation on page 136. His hat hung low over his head. It is evident that the stranger doesnt want to be recognised in the house. Overall, Hardy gives the impression to the reader that the man did not want to be recognised, and he did not want too many questions to be asked about him. This builds up suspension and mystery as it tells us that something is going on, and the man has a secret. In Maupassants story, there is also a secret. This secret is being revealed to us little by little, gradually telling us how the widow will carry out the vendetta. By doing this, he introduces the idea she has had. First, he tells us that there was nothing else on her mind but this. On page 202, it tells you she had no rest. This shows she was determined to carry out the vendetta, but it seems she didnt know how to go about it. Next, he tells us that she has decided what to do. On page 202, it reads inspiration. We now know that she has decided what she is going to do, however, the reader has not been informed what it is and still, Maupassant gives the pieces little by little. The story continues and we finally get to know what is going to happen on page 203, when it says the dog tore the face to pieces. This is somewhat different to the way Hardy develops the plot. Hardy draws it out even more, and I think this helped Hardys story immensely with the build up of tension and mystery. Once the second stranger is inside, and the people at the party are asking about the strangers professions, the first stranger does not seem to be too pleased to be asked about it. It seems at first that he is keen to let everyone know what he is when he says very quickly and firmly Im a wheelwright. However, it appears that he is feeling a little too keen, especially as when the hedge carpenter says you can tell a mans profession by his hands, the first man instinctively sought the shade (page 142). All this shows that he is not telling the truth about his profession. This also adds to the mystery of the story, and again, it makes the reader wonder why the man is so secretive about himself, and why he would lie about his profession. In Maupassants story, there is a level of predictability regarding what is going to happen when it reads, on page 203; reduced the throat to ribbons. Before this, though, the clues are introduced very gradually. This also shows the determination and intelligence of the old woman. Usually a plot like this would be very well planned-out. However, it says that she had a sudden inspiration (page 202). This tells you that the woman is not a gentle, soft woman, or not in this case, at least. This is because she is so determined to do what she has to do, since it is what she has believed in throughout her whole life. Page 202 also says that the inspiration was a fierce vindictive one. The woman had forced herself to be less shy and timid, especially to be able to carry out the vendetta on her sons behalf. This builds up mystery well, as it means that the woman could be unpredictable as she is not her usual self. Hardy also uses this method in his story. He does not disclose to us the next mystery that is about to arise. The mystery is what the second stranger does for a living. There are clues scattered about when he talks. For example, on page 138, it says not a face without power. This gives the impression, that at least he is a boss of some kind or in charge of something. He was in fact, in charge of something, that thing being other peoples lives. Something that could put you off track however, is the second strangers kindness. On page 140, he says relieve the needy. You dont really expect an executioner to help the needy, as if he didnt kill people every week, so this is a clever way to draw out the little mystery. Later on, when asked about his occupation, the second stranger says I leave a mark upon my customers (page 142). This is again a clue to the strangers profession. Finally, in the second verse of his song, he gives his final clue. A post whereon to swing (page 143). The post is the hanging pole, and they are swinging because of the rope holding them up by their necks. I think Hardy has used this riddle well, for as well as leaving the readers to unfold it themselves, he has placed into their minds the question what will this man have to do with the rest of the story? It was clever to use this riddle, as it builds such great suspense, that mystery is built up immensely in this part of the story. The third stranger comes in and flees so suddenly, that it is obvious that there is significance in the way he does so. It must provide a vital clue to the story. After he has fled, the party in the cottage wonder why he did so, which is what the reader is intended to wonder too! When they hear the gunshot, and suspect what this man might have done, the story starts to unfold. After they have thought about it for a while, and heard the shots going off at regular intervals, it says their suspicions became a certainty (page 146). After they supposedly become certain of their suspicions, the second stranger puts himself in charge of drawing up a plan. This plan consists of some danger. This also excites the reader, making him wonder whats to come. On page 147, the constable says, staves and pitchforks. This shows that Hardy is developing a sense of danger, which helps the build up of mystery in the story. On page 148, the first and second strangers are back in the cottage. They seem very confident of the others, as they say theyll have him. Although they seem confident, the reader is not supposed to be so sure. This helps greatly in the mystery development, as it helps to form suspense. Hardy has used this well, as when the reader finds out the whole thing was a red herring, he is excited by what the true answer is. Red herrings are important for mystery stories because they excite the reader. The example in Hardys story is used very well. Maupassant does not have a red herring in his story. This is makes it is shorter and more to the point. Maupassant finishes his story how he started it: with a horrific murder. On page 204, it says the dog seized his throat. It also says that when the dog was finished, Nicolas Ravolati writhed. This shows that the death was a very painful one. Of course, it seems that the woman has got away with it. However that is what Nicolas thought. If the story had continued, we might have learnt that the old lady herself had been murdered in a vendetta for his life. In leaving the ending open, Maupassant is still building the sense of mystery even though the text has concluded! At the end of Hardys story, when he writes the explanation, he tries to make it really interesting for the reader. First, before the real answer is explained, the magistrate says havent you got the man after all? (Page 151)? This makes the reader wonder who the man really is, and why the third stranger ran away if he is not the man. Gradually, from here on, Hardy explains the real answers to these questions. First the third stranger says the condemned man is my brother (page 151). This is the first thing that is revealed. Still, though most of the questions remain. The next revelation is the real identity of the criminal. On page 151, the third stranger says my brother was in the chimney corner. This is the mystery solved, and Hardy has done this in a very shrewd way. He has kept readers guessing to the last second. Hardys explanation summed up the whole story well, and explained the puzzle. This enthrals the reader and the whole story has built up the sense of mystery very well. I noticed that both stories used isolation as a way to build up mystery. Hardy used it as in the isolation of the little cottage, whereas, Maupassant used it as in the isolation of the widow. On page 201, it says the widow refused to let anyone stay. The authors are building up mystery in the same way, but in a different context. I can now say that I immensely enjoyed reading both of these stories. They had both contrasts and comparisons, but more contrasts. The two stories built up mystery very well, but they built it up in completely different ways. I think this is because both authors were not setting out to write the same kind of story. I personally preferred Hardys story. I think this is because it built up mystery in a very shrewd way so that I was guessing what the answer would be right until the very end. One part that I did enjoy greatly, however, was the red herring. I found this to be a very clever way of putting readers off course from the real answer, as it did to me. I did enjoy Maupassants story as well, but I didnt find it as mysterious as Hardys. In conclusion, I would like to say that I think both stories built up mystery well, but I think Hardys built it up to a greater effect.

Macro Environment Essays

Macro Environment Essays Macro Environment Paper Macro Environment Paper Our product and all of the other actors operate in a large macro environment of forces that shape opportunities and pose threats to the company is known as macro environment. Six largely uncountable external forces influence our products marketing activities. And also it influences decision making, and affect its performance and strategies. These factors include the economic, demographics, legal, political, and social conditions, technological changes, and natural forces Elements of Macro-Environment: Demographic Environment Demography is the study of human populations in terms of size, destiny, location, age, gender race, occupation and other statistics. The demographic environment is of major interest to marketers because it involves people. Economic Environment Marketers require buying power as well as people. The economic environment consists of factors that affect consumers purchasing power and spending power patterns. Marketers must pay close attention to major trends and consumers spending patterns. Natural Environment The natural environment involves the natural resources that are needed as inputs by marketers or they are affected by marketing activities. Environmental concerns have grown steadily during the past three decades. Marketers should be aware of several trends in the natural environment. Technological Environment The technological environment is perhaps the most dramatic forces now shopping own destiny. Technological environment involves forces that create new technologist creating new product and marketing opportunities. Political Environment Marketing decisions are strongly affected by developments in the political environment. Political environment consists of laws, government agencies, government itself and pressure groups that influence or limits various organizations and individuals in a given society. Cultural Environment The cultural environment is made up of institutions and other forces that affect a society basic values, perceptions, preferences and behaviors. There are few cultural values which affect marketing decision making. These are persistence of cultural value, shifts in secondary cultural value, people views of organization and others. Environment factors that affect our green product Demographic effect: Population growth and age structure. Changes in demand patterns of products. I. Family structure changing. Changing households patterns. Time, Increasing dual income families. Part-time jobs and business. More education People are thinking of saving Multiple tasks at one time. Knowledgeable people are tending to use more inconvenience and useful things. Economic effects: Law product exports growth price of GNP service opportunities Social and cultural effects: Social organization such as family, school, temple and culture of the society heap, beliefs, norms, values, and behavior of people should take into an account before the launching of our product. Majority of people are influenced by their culture. Therefore when we trying to satisfy customer needs have to consider these factors and objectives should match with them. Technological effects: Obsolete therefore Products features to date. Durable Efficient Effective Political legal effects: Business regulations should be up influence and limit the behavior of Rules individuals and organization. Government Policies Laws Governments bodies Pressure groups Cowan is a green product Law tax rate Public acceptance Easier to launch Emphasis on ethics social responsibility Natural effects: Natural environment: Impending of storage of raw material Increased cost of energy Increased levels of pollution Government intervention in natural resources management Cowan is a green concept which provides energy saving system and lightning system without any capital expenditure. This encourages deployment of energy -? efficient products. And also it is a disposable product.

Woman with Hat Painting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Woman with Hat Painting - Essay Example With the artist’s choice of portrait as a subject, use of energetic paint strokes, and combination of unusual colors, the painting stands out as a model of the essential characteristics of fauvism. Overall, Matisse has applied an active brushwork to depict his wives’ dress, skin, and feathered hat, together with the background of the portrait with weird vivid colors. The Woman with Hat Painting premiered in Salon d’Automne in the year 1905 and it has been presented through the oil on canvas medium, much more of a splattering of paint on the canvas material; this was an quite an unusual piece among Matisse’s contemporaries. Through his successful art career, Henry Matisse became renowned as one of the giants of the 20th century art, and has ever since been readily recognized for his pioneering works that set the stage in the fauvist art style; in addition to the fauvist art style, Matisse was also identified with paper cut-outs later in his career. Even tho ugh Matisse was born to an artistically inclined mother, he received very little early encouragement to become an artist and so he proceeded to study law in Paris (Matisse b); however, after suffering appendicitis and being confined to bed, Matisse explored his artistic bent with a lot of encouragement from his mother who was keen to help him recover. Overall, the Woman with hat painting was inspired by Matisse’s desire to challenge the rigid concepts of art to both the critic and the viewer in his period, which largely had evolved into a status quo. The Woman with hat painting was created in the 20th century period between 1905 to 1906 in Paris and was first exhibited in the Salon d’Automne in the year 1905; however, the portrait’s rough application of bright colors on the face, hat, dress, and even background was shocking to critics and Matisse’s contemporaries. This period was defined by phenomenology, a concept that was familiarized by Edmund Husserl as an attempt to break down phenomenon into verifiable form in order to understand its essence (Ayanna). This concept inspired the creation of Woman with hat painting because the painting clearly reflects the essence of phenomenology as conceptualized by Husserl; using the proposed method of stratified formation, Matisse observes and challenges the phenomena of art. Through the Woman with heart painting, Matisse challenges the concept of art according to both the critic and the viewer in particular, and the concept of art in general; he established a model for modern art that came to be known as fauvism style. The subject of the Woman with hat painting is a portrait that depicts Matisse’s wife in the oil on canvas artwork (Matisse b); this subject is recognizable to me today due to the massive influence of this pioneering fauvist work on modern art. However, this subject may not have been recognizable to the people in the time it was created due to the rigid concepts of the e ssence of art that existed at that time, until later when critics recognized fauvist style of art. The unusual bright color combinations heavily characterize the Woman with hat painting, and these have been utilized to symbolize the expression of Matisse’s wife; the artist’s use of color to capture expression rather than form is a radical idea that challenged the status quo that paintings should depict the subject matter accurately by using forms. Similarly, the color symbol was not understandable to the people in the society in which this painting was created because the concept of fauvism was still uncommon at the time of completion of this painting. However, this color symbol is understandable to me today because the fauvism style of art has taken form and challenged the age-old

See Below Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 7

See Below - Essay Example The distinction between legitimate and effective authority is that an effective one simply supports to change the decisions that apply to others. Legitimate authority has the ability to alter these decisions. The fact that authority calls for performance for a certain action is a basis for decision making which is not to be added to all other sound decisions when assessing what is to be done, but should eliminate and replace some of them. The theory is only acceptable if there are limits on what the legitimate authority can fairly order the individuals to do, a reason why it does not essentially replace all relevant decisions. In conclusion, Hobbes and Locke’s approach to decision making can be justified only based on consent. There should be a voluntary formation of political obligation and justice, where justice depends on what the individuals are willing or choose to agree to. Individuals should decide according to the concept of the â€Å"original

Cells Biological Essay Example for Free

Cells Biological Essay I) Observation of starch grains 1. A potato was cut by using a cork barrier to obtain a piece of it. 2. The small piece of potato was placed on the centre of the glass slide and enough pressure was applied with fingers to squeeze it until small amount of juice was force out. The piece of potato was discarded leaving the juice behind on the glass microscope slide. 3. A drop of water was added to the potato juice and the glass slide was then covered with a clean cover slip. 4. The slide was examined: under low power (10X), then high power (40X). A drawing of 4-6 starch grains was made to illustrate the shape and other observable details for each, low power (10X) and high power (40X). 5. The experiment was preceded by staining the grains using the irrigation technique. (Irrigation technique: A drop of iodine was placed at one edge of the cover slip. A filter paper was brought into contact with the water at the opposite edge of the cover slip. As water was absorbed by the filter paper, iodine on the other side of the cover slip was drawn underneath it and the sample was stained.) 6. The iodine-stained mount was examined under low power (10X) and high power (40X). 4-6 starch grains were drawn to illustrate their shape and structure. These drawings were included in the microscope data sheet as results. II) Observation of onion cells 1. An onion was cut into half and one of its fleshy scale petals was removed. 2. The onion petal was snapped backwards and a forceps was used to tear away a piece of thin epidermal lining from inside the onion. A 1cm square piece of lining was placed onto the microscopic glass slide. 3. A drop of water was placed on the onion epidermal lining and the lining was covered with a cover slip. It was examined under a microscope at low power (10X) and then high power (40X). A drawing of the observations was made. The details that were observed in the preparation were included. . The parts of the onion cells were labelled accordingly. 4. The experiment was preceded by staining the onion lining with iodine by irrigation technique as described earlier. 5. It was examined again under low power (10X) and high power (40X). 4-6 onion cells were drawn in the microscope data sheet as observation. The parts of the onion cells were labelled completely. III) Observation of cheek cells 1. A clean glass microscope slide was obtained and a drop of water was placed in the centre of the slide. 2. A flat toothpick was hold against the inner cheek and the inner cheek was gently scraped with the flat edge of a toothpick. The cheek cells were spread in the drop of water on a microscope slide. 3. The specimen was covered with a cover slip and air bubbles were avoided. 4. It was observed under high power (40X) and a drawing of 4-6 cells was made. 5. The details that can be observed in the preparation were included and were labelled accordingly. 6. The experiment was preceded by staining the cheek cell slide with methylene blue by irrigation technique. 7. The cell with structures observed was drawn in the microscope data sheet as part of the results. Nucleus, nuclear membrane and cell membrane were labelled. Discussion: Under microscopic examination, organelles of the cell are enlarged to be observed. In onion cells (plant cell), cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus are observed. In cheek cells (animal cells), cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus are observed. The difference between plant cells and animal cells are presence of organelles and their cell shape. From the observation of onion cells and cheek cells, it there is presence of cell wall in onion cell (plant cell) but it is absent in animal cell .The presence of cell wall contributes to the fixed, rigid shape of plant cell whereas animal cell is irregular in shape. Different types of stain colour for particular parts of a cell respectively so that the translucent parts of the cells can be viewed more clearly and can be studied easily. Iodine is often used as an indicator for starch. Hence, starch grains and onion cells are more clear and visible when iodine stains starch present in the cells. During observation of starch grains, starch is mixed with iodine solution where dark blue solution is observed, representing a starch/iodine complex. Staining a plant cell with iodine allows us to see the onion cell wall. Methylene blue binds well with negative charge molecules (DNA) which allows us to see the nucleus of the cell. It stains nuclei acid found in the nucleus, making nucleus more observable. For precaution, glass slide is make sure is clean and perfectly transparent by holding the slide by its edge. Glass slide is make sure not to be dry so that the cell can be observed under the microscope. During wet mount, air bubbles that will interfere the viewing the organisms’ movement is to be avoided by putting the covers lip gently on the slide. When observing the specimen, adjust the iris diaphragm or light level to achieve optimum contrast. Low power is always to be used first as to know the location of a good area for observation.

The History of Jamaican Slavery :: American America History

Jamaica’s history is full of social unrest. The island was originally inhabited by the Arawaks. The Arawaks were a peaceful, pleasant race. In his History of the British West Indies, Sir Alan Burns says, "all accounts credit them with being generous-minded, affectionate and good-humoured" (37). Once Jamaica was "discovered" by Spain in 1494, however, the Arawaks, who had inhabited the island for centuries, quickly died off due to the harsh treatment of the Spaniards. Spain never really developed the land, however, and thus when British forces invaded in 1655, Spain chose not to focus much energy on defending the island. The British found Jamaica to be much more profitable than the Spanish had. It eventually became one of the most lucrative colonies in the British empire due to its dominance in sugar exports: from the mid 1700’s until the close of the slave trade in Jamaica in the 1830’s, Jamaica accounted for 42 percent of sugar imported into Britain (Burnard and Morgan 3). Unfortunately, these benefits for the British empire came at a significant cost to the hundreds of thousands of Africans who became unwillingly caught up in the trade triangle between England, Africa and the Caribbean. In their essay "The Dynamics of the Slave Market and Slave Purchasing Patterns in Jamaica, 1655-1788," Trevor Burnard and Kenneth Morgan say: "Jamaica had the largest demand for slaves of any British colony in the Americas" (2). By the end of the eighteenth century there were more than 300, 000 slaves in Jamaica; and the fact that the slaves outnumbered the plantation owners was unsettling for many of the wealthy, white inhabitants of the island. The political system basically consisted of a governor who represented the Crown and the Assembly of Planters, who both were against the slaves. Adding to the unrest of the island was the existence of the Maroons. When the British invaded the island they demanded that the Spaniards surrender. In miscalculation, however, they gave them time to consider the offer. The Spaniards fled the island, but not before setting loose their cattle and freeing their slaves. These freed slaves then retreated to the mountains and developed their own threatening communities in the wild mountain interior of Jamaica (Hamshere 140). Often they terrorized the English by setting fire to homes and buildings or by murdering soldiers. The Maroons were not truly a vicious people, however they did feel the need to defend their freedom from the British by any means necessary.

The Masque of the Red Death

â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† Literary Analysis: A Look at Imagery We continue our literary analysis of â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† by Edgar Allan Poe with a look at the graphic imagery in the short story. players †¢ slide 1 of 4 Imagery is the use of figurative or descriptive language to create a vivid mental picture. It involves at least one of the five senses–sight, sound, touch, feel, taste. Imagery in â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† is ghastly. †¢ slide 2 of 4 Example of Imagery – â€Å"There were sharp pains, and sudden dizziness, and then profuse bleeding at the pores, with dissolution.The scarlet stains upon the body and especially upon the face of the victim, were the pest ban which shut him out from the sympathy of his fellow men. † (145). Senses – Sight, Touch Analysis – Poe establishes the mood and setting of the story with the vivid description of the Red Death. The passage establishes the h orror of the disease and explains why the guests would react to the blood stained intruder at the end of the story. †¢ slide 3 of 4 Imagery in the 7th RoomExample of Imagery – â€Å"The seventh apartment was closely shrouded in black velvet tapestries that hung all over the ceiling and down the walls, falling in heavy folds upon the carpet of the same material and hue† (146). Senses – Sight, Touch Analysis: The oppressiveness of the 7th room contrasts the gaiety of the previous six. The darkness of the room and the heaviness and darkness of the curtain symbolizes death. No wonder none of the guests wish to come near it. Note the pun on â€Å"shroud. † Example of Imagery – â€Å"The panes here were scarlet–a deep color†¦.In the corridors that followed the suite, there stood, opposite to each window, a heavy tripod, bearing a brazier of fire, that projected its rays through the tinted glass and so glaringly illuminated the room. And thus were produced a multitude of gaudy and fantastic appearances†¦ The effect of the firelight that streamed upon the dark hangings through the blood tinted panes was ghastly in the extreme† (146-7) Senses – Sight Analysis – So much for peaceful death. The images created by the brazier of fire and blood tinted glass give the room of death a ghastly appearance.The gaudy and fantastic appearances, the blood tinted panes, and the fire create an image of hell, hinting that perhaps the guests and the Prince fear not just the Red Death, but their eternal fate. †¢ slide 4 of 4 More Examples Example of Imagery – â€Å"Its pendulum swung to and fro with a heavy monotonous clang; there came from the brazen lungs of the clock a sound which was clear and loud and deep and exceedingly musical† (147). Senses – Sound Analysis – No wonder the musicians stopped when this clock struck.Poe uses personification–brazen lungs–to em phasize the deepness of the â€Å"heavy monotonous clang,† a clang that serves as an hourly reminder to the guests that death is approaching. Example of Imagery – â€Å"The figure was tall and gaunt, and shrouded from head to foot in the habilments of the grave†¦ His vesture was dabed in blood and his broad brow, with all the features of the face was besprinkled with the scarlet horror. † (149). Senses – Sight Death – The personified Red Death strikes fear and anger in the hearts of Prospero and his guests.Once the Red Death appears, it never leaves. Symbolism in â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† Why are there seven rooms in â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death†? Learn all that and more with this guide to symbolism. latest †¢ slide 1 of 6 Edgar Allan Poe's â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† should be studied at many levels: (1) the literal level – the literal level is a study of the events that actually take plac e in the story; (2) an allegorical level – an allegory is a story in which the objects, characters, and events are symbolic of something grander in scale.In order to understand the story allegorically, one needs a firm understanding of symbols in â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death. † †¢ slide 2 of 6 Symbols ; Analysis The Red Death symbolizes the inevitability of death. Although there is no specific disease with the exact symptoms described in the story, critics believe the disease's description has elements of tuberculosis, a disease which killed many of those close to Poe. It also brings forth memories of the Black Death which depopulated much of Europe during the Middle Ages.The Castle represents man's efforts to prevent death. Regardless of wealth, social position, or popularity, death arrives as an uninvited guest. Prince Prospero symbolizes the end of feudalism. Prospero's inviting only wealthy knights and ladies to his castle at the expense of peasants and c ommoners represents the socioeconomic divide between landowners and peasants that existed during the feudalistic period. It is not coincidental that the Black Death, which reduced the number of workers, led to a demand for labor and played an important role in ending feudalism in Europe.The Ebony Clock is a constant reminder of death and symbolizes the inevitability of it. The revelers could neither stop its pendulum from swinging nor could they prevent its ominous tones from dampering their enthusiasm. †¢ The Seven Rooms represent the stages of life. More on this later. The Masqueraders symbolize all humans and gives creedence to the interpretation that the seven rooms represent the seven ages of man (covered further in the next section). †¢ slide 3 of 6 Color Symbolism Colors play an important role in this story:Red – The most obvious color symbolism in â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† is in its title. Red symbolizes death and blood. The gruesome descript ion of the Red Death gives the color a ghastly connotation, especially in light of the red window panes contained in the death room at the far western end of the imperial suite. Black/Ebony – The seventh room was â€Å"closely shrouded in black velvet tapestries that hung all over the ceiling and down the walls, falling in heavy folds upon a carpet of the same material and hue† (146).This seventh room contains â€Å"no light of any kind† and represents the darkness of death. In this room stands the ebony clock. Upon hearing its chimes the guests were reminded of death: â€Å"the giddiest grew pale, and the more aged and sedate passed their hands over their brows as if in confused reverie or meditation† (147). Blue/Purple/Green/Orange/White/Violet – These are the colors of the first six rooms in the imperial suite. I will address them together insomuch that they represent a prism and therefore reflect a progression, lending creedence to the interpre tation that the story is an allegory for life.This interpretation, however, is complicated by the fact that the color of Prospero's room do not occur in the same sequence as they do in a prism, possibly reflective of Prospero's twisted sense of fairness or an attempt by the author to associate particular colors with a specific period in life. †¢ Others interpret the 7 rooms in â€Å"The Masque of the Red Death† as a symbol of Prospero's indulgence in the seven deadly sins: 1. Pride/Vanity – Pride is the excessive belief in one's own abilities, similar to vanity, which is setting one's heart on things of little value.Prospero's belief that he is more powerful than death is a vivid demonstration of pride. 2. Envy – It is unclear who the Prince might envy, but he sure is trying hard to impress someone. 3. Gluttony – Gluttony is the act of consuming more than one is required. Instead of using his means to protect more people, something he is obligated to do as prince, he lavishes his guests with â€Å"ample provisions† and â€Å"the appliances of pleasure. † 4. Lust – Lust is an excessive craving for the pleasures of the body, usually associated with sex. The era in which Poe wrote prohibited he explicit or implicit description of sex, but what do you think was going on at an anything goes party? 5. Anger – The Prince becomes angry with the uninvited guest and attacks it. 6. Greed – Although it is apparent Prince Prospero shares his wealth with a thousand guests, he helps those who need it least and withholds his substance from those in need. 7. Sloth – Sloth is the absence of work. The prince seems like a hard worker; his work, however, is on the physical realm not the spiritual realm. †¢ slide 6 of 6 What do you think they mean? If you have an alternate interpretation, let me know in the comments.