ast. This is symbolic to the sunrise in the east and sunset in the west because light means life anddarkness means death. Poe uses darkness as another visual representation of death.The gigantic clock of ebony is another symbolic object in the story. "Its pendulum swungto and fro with a dull, heavy, monotonous clang; and when the minute hand made the circuit...itwas observed that the giddiest turned pale, and the more aged and sedate passed their hands overtheir brows as if in confused reverie or meditation" (359). Hour by hour, minute by minute,second by second, the life of the ebony clock slowly dies. Poe uses the clock as a symbolic meanthat man can escape death, but at the end it is inescapable. The ebony clock is a reminder toPrince Properso and his guests of their remaining time before death. Poe's description of theclock's chimes is successful as a constant reminder of their death.Prince Properso's efforts of avoid the epidemic is unsuccessful because death willeventually conquer all who oppose. His ultimate enemy was his refusal to except death as itcomes. Poe is successful in showing the importance of language and symbolism to visualizedeath. Poe's mastery of language and symbolism helped bring the story to life and bring newmeaning to death....
