Finding Disillusionment, Facing Death in "Flight" and "Masque of the Red Death" Anonymous College

Life asked Death, “Why do people love me but hate you?” Death replied, “Because you are a beautiful lie and I am a painful truth.” - Anonymous

Edgar Allan Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death” takes place in 15th century medieval times where disease and plague are ravaging the country. While the rest of his people are devastated by the ‘Red Death’, Prince Prospero and his wealthy companions retreat to the safety of the Prince’s castle and allow their fellow countrymen to fend for themselves. “Flight” by John Steinbeck, takes place in depression era 1920’s California. Pepe, a young man, lives on a farm with his mother and two younger brothers. After an altercation leaves a man dead, Pepe must flee to the mountains and quickly evolves from a child to a man. Edgar Allan Poe, in “Masque of the Red Death” and John Steinbeck, in ‘Flight” both utilize symbolism to convey the theme of awakening from a disillusioned view of the world and the fact that death is inevitable.

In Edgar Allan Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death”, Poe uses symbolism to convey the theme of awakening from a disillusioned view of the world and the fact that death is inescapable. In the beginning of the story, Prince Prospero, the wealthy prince, realizes he must flee from...