The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe

Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024

The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe

Grade Level: 9-12 (adaptable)

Time Allotment: 2-3 Class Periods (depending on activities)

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will be able to summarize the plot of "The Masque of the Red Death."
  • Students will be able to analyze the characters and their motivations.
  • Students will be able to identify and interpret symbols and themes within the story.
  • Students will be able to discuss the story's relevance to contemporary issues.

Materials:

  • Copies of "The Masque of the Red Death" (short story)
  • Whiteboard or projector
  • Markers/pens
  • Chart paper (optional)
  • Construction paper and art supplies (for mask-making activity - optional)

Lesson Procedures:

Day 1: Introduction and Setting the Stage (45 minutes)

  1. Hook (5 minutes): Begin with a brainstorming session. Ask students to share what they know about death, disease, and human responses to these concepts.
  2. Background Information (10 minutes): Briefly introduce Edgar Allan Poe and his literary style (Gothic fiction, horror). Discuss the concept of allegory and how it might be used in literature.
  3. Reading and Vocabulary (30 minutes): Distribute copies of "The Masque of the Red Death." Before reading, pre-teach any challenging vocabulary words students might encounter. Students can read independently, in pairs, or aloud as a class.

Day 2: Analysis and Discussion (45 minutes)

  1. Comprehension Check (10 minutes): Start with a quick comprehension check. Ask students to answer basic questions about the plot, characters, and setting.
  2. Character Analysis (20 minutes): Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a character to analyze (Prince Prospero, the revellers, the Red Death). Have them discuss the character's motivations, actions, and significance to the story. Groups can share their findings with the class.
  3. Symbolism and Theme (15 minutes): As a class, discuss the use of symbolism in the story. Consider the abbey, the seven rooms, the masquerade costumes, and the Red Death itself. What do these elements represent? What themes are they connected to?

Day 3 (Optional): Activities and Extension (45 minutes)

  1. Mask-Making Activity (30 minutes): Have students design and create their own masquerade masks, drawing inspiration from the story's themes and symbols. They can explain their designs and what they represent.
  2. Modern Connections (15 minutes): Facilitate a class discussion about the story's relevance to contemporary issues. How does "The Masque of the Red Death" connect to our own fears of disease and mortality? How does it represent human efforts to escape the inevitable?

Assessment:

  • Participation in class discussions
  • Completion of character analysis activity
  • Participation in mask-making activity (optional)
  • Short written analysis focusing on symbolism and themes

Differentiation:

  • Provide scaffolding for students who struggle with reading by offering alternative versions of the text or allowing them to read aloud with a partner.
  • Offer students who excel the opportunity to research historical plagues or Gothic fiction in more depth.

Extension Activities:

  • Students can write their own short story inspired by "The Masque of the Red Death," set in a modern context.
  • Have students research the psychology of fear and how it is used in horror literature.
  • Watch a film adaptation of "The Masque of the Red Death" and compare it to the original story.

This lesson plan provides a framework for a deep dive into "The Masque of the Red Death." By engaging in discussions, activities, and analysis, students will gain a rich understanding of Poe's work and its enduring themes.