of death, Poe reminds the reader that between the striking of each hour, there elapses "three thousand and six hundred seconds of the Time that flies."The significance of the seventh room is apparent throughout the entire story. Black usually symbolizes death, and it tends to be used in connection with death. Furthermore, in describing the black dcor of the room, the narrator says it is "shrouded" in velvet, shrouded being a term generally referring to death. In addition, the window panes are "scarlet-a deep blood color." The relationship between blood and death is an essential aspect because Poe wants the reader to have a visual image of the blood flowing down the walls as a form of death. This is an obvious reference to the "Red Death". When the masked "Red death" makes hisappearance, he moves rapidly from the Eastern room (symbolic of the beginning of life) to the Western room (symbolic of the end of life). In addition, the black chamber furthers Poe's theme.The prince rushes "hurriedly through the six chambers", but as he approaches the unwanted "guest", his dagger stops, and he falls dead upon the black carpet. This signifies that death cannot be destroyed (or avoided) as Prospero tries to prevent his fate from occurring. It is a universal force against humankind that holds "illimitable domain over all". Significantly, the appearance of the "Red Death" at midnight is propitious and symbolic. This is the end of the day, and, by analogy, the end of life. The "unwanted" guest's costume additionally contains some meaning. The mask portrays the message that death is an event that cannot be predicted. It is undetectable; a matter disguised as a variety of things in which its victims are unable to escape from. Death is superior to all defying powers and can overcome anything, as it overcomes Prospero's "impenetrable" walls to claim his victims.Poe is highly successful in showing the importance of symbolism to visualize dea...
