The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe - Short Story Summary, Analysis, Review

[@AliciaNyblade]

9:59-10:32--I never thought of that interpretation before, but that is fucking BRILLIANT. I love the idea of the story being a plague-induced fever dream in Prospero's head.

[@BookishTexan]

This was my favorite Poe story as a kid. I did a reading from it in my 9th Grade speech class. My classmates didn't enjoy it....

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Seems like a nice fun read to me 😂

[@musiquemacabre]

I really felt those pandemic parallels with this story too. I think a reread is warranted, will be interesting to head into it with the surrealistic thoughts y’all discussed

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Crazy how life can repeat itself!

[@camanderson9132]

One detail that I find so interesting is the imagery at the end of the story wherein the Red Death and Prospero are both in the first room, before the Red Death moves through each room slowly, then Prospero chases after him at speed, whereupon reaching the final room and Prospero catching up to the Red Death, he is struck and killed, symbolising the hands of a clock (one fast, one slow), each room representing a unit of time and when the two meet before the clock, time is up. So many layers.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Ooooo I love it! Thanks for sharing

[@TheNerdyNarrative]

This one and The Cask of A are the only two stories we studied in high school literature by Poe that I actually thoroughly enjoyed - and liked enough to remember all these decades later, lol

[@TheCodeXCantina]

So good!

[@giovannamoretti4001]

I always love hearing this channel’s interpretations 👌

[@theatrevision4378]

Awesome analysis! I just read this story today and it is my new favorite Poe story! "Out Heroding Herod" is actually an homage to Hamlet's advice to the players. He tells them of a lavish, vain and overdramatic actor who is praised falsely for his overdone performances. I imagined Poe's use of the quote to describe how lavish, overdone and ultimately empty the masquers are. I find your interpretation interesting as well!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Interestingly enough I thought he used this reference again in another story when I was reading more from him. Thanks for sharing

[@philstrand]

Agreed, one of Poe's best stories. I remember writing a paper on it back in the day. For future Halloween stories to consider: "The Great God Pan" by Arthur Machen (rhymes with 'blacken'), one of the most disturbing things I've ever read, or your choice of story by Thomas Ligotti. Perhaps "The Frolic".

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks for the recommendations

[@mariabarnes4094]

Can't say it's my favorite Poe's story, but I enjoyed listening to your interpretations of it. For me, nothing beats Conversations in a Dead Language by Thomas Ligotti. Perfect for Halloween!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Another Ligotti recommendation! Sounds like I’ll need to get on that

[@mariabarnes4094]

@@TheCodeXCantina It would be interesting to hear what you think about his work. And even if you don't agree with his personal convictions on philosophy and morality, you might still find his writing style and the way he tells his stories enticing.

[@attention5638]

Great analysis! There is a lot of good literature out there on the question you raise on why we enjoying reading (or watching) a tragedy unfold. That relatable side, as mentioned, along with the ability to feel certain emotions without the anxiety, or it gives us the sense of gratefulness. Anyway, really great!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

I was just reading about fest vs anxiety from an author you hold dearly. Interesting timing with this comment!!

[@frankpiccione8571]

You also see the The Red Death as the narrator since he is the only left at the end of the story.

[@Starscreamlive]

I love this story. It's Poe at his almost best, just maybe a little too short to be top tier Poe.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Always leave the crowd wanting more! 😂

[@Starscreamlive]

@@TheCodeXCantina that's what Ric Flair and The Rock taught me from my love of pro wrestling. Who knew pro wrestling and literature were so closely related?!?😁🤚

[@TheCodeXCantina]

@@Starscreamlive wooo!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

@@Starscreamlive 🤨

[@3DInnovations70]

What is peak poe

[@fire.smok3]

These are really making me want to re-read Poe lol

[@TheCodeXCantina]

I hope you enjoy them if you do reread

[@fifth_noble8022]

😂😂😂

[@RaduBigGun]

The analysis is so bad and poorly done. Prospero is man that likes life but in cynical way. The character reflects some of the virtues of evil. The movie ends in a traditional way because good wins , in the end, in a traditional way, but someone who is a fine observer cannot notice some memorable words of Prospero through the whole movie. Prospero is the main character and an honest man, not an hypocrite cannot give him some credits.The movie is also about innocence vs experience. And in the end Death takes us all. It's noy about achieving your dreams either.... Oh, God....

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks for watching. We didn’t watch the movie. This is about the short story

[@FishyFinster]

The movie cannot be compared to the short story. You literally cannot

[@RaduBigGun]

@@FishyFinster I understand now. Then I strongly recommend to watch the movie. I've read the story now. As you could know the movie is made by 2 stories and it's deeper.

[@FishyFinster]

@@RaduBigGun ok cool i will check out the movie and thank you for looking at other people's advice