The Masque of the Red Deathby Edgar Allen Poe

The Plan

1. ACT Practice2. Discussion Question3. Who was Edgar Allen Poe? –

1. What I found and what the textbook says….

4. Words to know5. Historical Connections 6. Tomorrow’s Plan

Discussion Question

Imagine that your city or town has been struck by an epidemic of an incurable, fatal disease. The disease spreads rapidly but has not reached your block. How do you think you and your neighbors will react? What do you think would be the right thing to do?

Write down some ideas in your notebook.

Who was Edgar Allen Poe?

Who was Edgar Allen Poe?

Edgar Allen Poe was born January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts and died on October 7, 1849 in Baltimore, Maryland.

He was known as a short-story writer, poet, critic, and editor who was famous for his cultivation of mystery and the macabre. His tale The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841) initiated the modern detective story, and the atmosphere in his tales of horror is unrivaled in American fiction. His The Raven (1845) numbers among the best-known poems in the national literature.

Interesting Facts about Poe

Poe was the son of actors. After the death of his mother in 1811, he was taken into the home of a merchant presumed to be his godfather. He was then sent off to Scotland and England to receive a “classical education”. Interesting Fact- Poe was a gambler. His problem eventually got him kicked out of school.

Words to Know

1. Contagion2. Courtier3. Dauntless4. Grotesque5. Impetuosity6. License7. Pervade8. Sagacious9. Tangible10. Untenanted

Define these 10 words for homework!

Historical Connections

During the 14th century, an epidemic of bubonicplague- the Black Death-killed approximately 25million people in Europe, more than a quarter ofthe entire population. Victims of the plagueexperienced fever, vomiting, pain and blackswellings that oozed blood. Death usually camewithin three to five days. The fictitious plague inthis story, the Red Death, is an exaggeratedversion of this horrible disease. The Prince and hisfriends react to the epidemic by lockingthemselves up and having a masque party.

Tomorrow’s Plan

Be ready to turn in your vocabulary.

Bring your ACT books to class.

Pre- read: The Masque of the Red Death.