Synopsis
While the Red Death infects everyone out in the countryside and villages, Prince Prospero invites his close friends to stay and his abbey, with gates locking out the people.
History
First publication: Graham’s Magazine, May 1842
Review
One of the greatest of Poe’s stories. It is very short and mostly involved in the description of the fantastical rooms where the masque is held. The world of Prince Prospero is full of fantasy, color and activity. The Red Death intrudes on this party. I interpret this as Poe making a comparison between life and death and that no matter how you live your life, death will bring it all to an end. Death is the great equalizer of all things, which nothing can escape or hide from.
Videos
We have the story in these editions:
Tales of Edgar Allan Poe, hardcover, Whitman Classics, 1972-00-00
Tales of Edgar Allan Poe, hardcover, Golden Press, 1965-00-00
Poetry and Tales, edited by Patrick F. Quinn, slipcased, Suntup Editions, 2022-00-00
