Download Masque of the Red Death Discussion Question

Discussion 1
“The Masque of the Red Death”
Thursday, April 16, 15
1. Getting on the Same Page
• In your small groups, discuss any questions,
comments, or parts you found confusing. Discuss
these things as a group to increase your
understanding of the text and get everyone on
the same page for answering questions.
Thursday, April 16, 15
2. Literary Elements
• Identify the following literary elements
from the story: setting, protagonist,
antagonist, conflict.
• Draw and label Freytag’s Pyramid of
Dramatic Structure. Beside the diagram,
write the details/events from the story that
fit with each part.
Thursday, April 16, 15
3. Mood
• Determine the mood of this story. Cite
specific details or literary elements that
work to create this mood.
Thursday, April 16, 15
4. Point-of-View
• Determine the type of point-of-view used in this story.
• How would this story change if it were told from firstperson point-of-view (from Prince Prospero’s
perspective)?
• Would the story be more or less suspenseful if it were
told in first-person point-of-view from the strange
figure who appears toward the end of the story?
Thursday, April 16, 15
5. Central Idea
• Determine a Central Idea for this text.
Explain how the characters, setting, and
plot reveal this central idea.
Thursday, April 16, 15
6. Compare & Contrast
• Describe how “The Masque of the Red Death” is
similar to “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The TellTale Heart.”
• Describe how “The Masque of the Red Death” is
different from “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The
Tell-Tale Heart.”
• Overall, would you say “Masque” is more similar to
or more different from the other Poe stories we
have read? Explain your answer.
Thursday, April 16, 15