The Masque of the Red Death

"The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe is a allegorical short story about a prince who tries to avoid a deadly plague, known as the Red Death, by hosting luxurious, isolating masquerade balls in his castle. Despite his efforts, death infiltrates his secure environment, revealing that no one can escape mortality. The story explores themes of inevitability, the futility of denial, and the inescapable nature of death, emphasizing that wealth or privilege cannot shield individuals from the universal fate that awaits everyone.