Many people fear death, which is why some will do anything to escape it. Few things in life are impossible to do without, one of these is death. It is impossible to live without death. Death is a requirement. Edgar Allen Poe is known for exploring and shedding light on this universal truth. Poe is known for shedding light on the inevitability of death through his 1842 short story, "The Masque of the Red Death." This story is about the wealthy Prince Prospero who desperately tries to avoid the Red Death. The Red Death, symbolizing physical death, is spreading across the country. Prince Prospero believes he has effectively hidden from the Red Death by hiding in his isolated abbey. Little did the prince know that the danger he was trying to escape from would appear at his masquerade ball. Everyone at the party was having fun when the Red Death suddenly arrives and kills Prince Prospero and everyone at the party. “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen Poe reveals to the world that suffering cannot be escaped through the use of allegory, symbolism, and climax. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Edgar Allan Poe alludes to brutal illnesses to create a meaningful allegory. By presenting the Red Death as a disease that “had long ravaged the country,” the true inspiration of this tale is revealed to readers. The Bubonic Plague, comparable to the Red Death, struck the world in the 1300s. At that time, there was no cure for the Black Death, leaving people without hope. The Black Death killed everyone, regardless of class and wealth. This specific allegory relates to the theme because it shows that, regardless of one's social position and wealth, it is not possible to escape death and suffering. Death sooner or later reaches everyone and devastates anyone who encounters it. Both diseases draw parallels to each other because they demonstrate that pain and agony cannot be avoided under any circumstances. Death cannot be cured, it must be endured. Poe uses symbols to apply theme to many scenarios. The ebony clock is a symbolic element of this tale. Every time the clock struck the hour, "the most stunned were observed to turn pale." During the party time was always running out. Every hour the clock chimed and panic and fear took over the party guests. The fear was soon forgotten and the celebration continued with joy. The clock symbolizes the life of the party participants. As the hours passed, their lives became shorter. Even though partygoers tried to ignore the clock, it was impossible to forget its presence. There is nothing that can be done to prevent death from befalling them. When the clock struck midnight, the Red Death appeared. “And the life of the ebony clock was extinguished…”. The ticking and chiming of the clocks ended with the lives of the partygoers ending. Although they locked themselves away in the abbey, trying to keep death out, eventually the Red Death found them and they all died. Finally, the Red Death is said to wear a “corpse mask.” This embodies the theme because it shows that while death may be hidden, it is always there and can strike at any time. Leaving readers with the universal truth, that death is inevitable and unavoidable. The climax turns out to be the most important part of this story. Prospero's masquerade ball was held to celebrate with his fellow nobles who willingly and willingly left their suffering and pain locked outside the walls. However, the Red Death finds them during this.