Test Review on Symbolism

“Through the Tunnel”Main Character- Jerry11 years old, only child, dad is dead

Fascinated by older, local boys because they are diving from a rock and swimming through an underwater tunnel

Main Character- JerryThe underwater tunnel is a challenge

for Jerry.He is frightened by it yet determined

to swim through it.He carefully plans and practices for

several days before attempting to swim through it.

Minor Character- Jerry’s motherSlightly overprotectiveAllows him to go to the bay as a way of not being too overprotective

Helps Jerry unknowingly by buying him swimming goggles

Symbols used in the story-Safe beach- Jerry’s childhoodWild bay- the next stage in Jerry’s

maturity into adulthoodTunnel- a challenge or goal for Jerry,

one of the most important symbolsSwimming through the tunnel- Jerry’s

maturing

The theme of the story-People set goals for themselves to prove that they can accomplish something.

Proving one’s worth is never an easy task.

“The Masque of the Red Death”Red Death- a spreading infectious

diseaseRed Death- symbolic of the bubonic

plagueBubonic plague- transmitted to

humans through the bites from infected fleas

Bubonic PlaguePeople in the 14th century reacted

to the plague by-Eating lightly and avoiding visitorsEnjoying life and ignoring the threat

of the diseaseFleeing to their country homes,

hoping to escape the disease

SettingPrince Prospero’s abbeySeven colored rooms that are not connected to each other or situated in a straight line

Rooms go in a east to west direction

SettingEach room is a certain color with a

matching stained glass window except the last one.

That rooms is black and has a red stained glass window.

This room also has an ebony clock that chimes at each hour.

Prince ProsperoA man who enjoys life- good company and entertainment

Has 1000 of his closest friends stay at his abbey to escape the Red Death

Prince ProsperoHe is appalled at the intruder

who comes to his masquerade dressed as the Red Death.

He draws his dagger and chases him through each room, ending at the black room.

Prince ProsperoHe falls to his death- a victim of the

Red Death. One by one everyone else dies as the clock is chiming midnight.

The prince is symbol for anyone that thinks that he can escape death.

The theme of the story-No one can escape death.Death will always master life.Prince Prospero tried to escape

the Red Death by closing himself and his friends in his abbey, but the Red Death gets in and kills them all.

Possible essay questions-Define symbolism. Identify the symbols used in “The Masque of the Red Death” and explain what they stand for in the story.

Explain how Jerry is a dynamic character in “Through the Tunnel.” Identify the change that he goes through and what motivated this change in him.

What is the theme of Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death”? Discuss the theme in relation to the story, namely Prince Prospero.