In the following essay, Bell interprets time and the seven rooms in Prince Prospero's imperial suite allegorically as periods of a person's life.

If after reading it, one concludes that "The Masque of the Red Death" is nothing more than another of Poe's rather numerous explorations of the general theme of death, then there is little that may be said about its meaning other than that it is a rather good example of grim and ironic humor. However, to the student who inclines his attention toward the allegorical overtones of the work, other possibilities as to its meaning present themselves. It is the writer's belief that the story becomes more interesting, as well as broader in scope, when one concentrates on these allegorical elements.

Examining the text of the work, we discover that Prospero is a feelingless ruling prince. To the discerning reader there is also implicit...