obvious reference to the Red Death. When the masked Red Death makes his appearance, he moves rapidly from the eastern room (the beginning of life) to the western room (the end of life). In addition, Poe describes that the prince rushes hurriedly through the six chambers(61), but when he approaches to the black room, he stops and falls dead upon the black carpet. This signifies that death cannot be avoided even Prospero tries to prevent from it. Significantly, the appearance of the Red Death at midnight is also symbolic. This is the end of a day and no doubt, represents the end of life. Poe demonstrates that death is something we can never predict. Also, death is the biggest punishment a human can have, because life is the most precious thing a human beings own. When one loses ones life, it means this person loses already all has.Humans always try to prevent death. It is true that no one wants to die. But Poe shows us, by his two stories, that death is not prevented. However, if we think in a different point of view, death is not always a bad thing. Between forever pain and death, I think most of the people will choose death. If we can understand this principle, death will become less horrible.Chung Ching Sze October,15,1999 (9830563)Mid-term essayImages of death in The Pit and the Pendulum andThe Masque of the Red Death...
