Dark Romanticism: American Gothic — Test

Question 10 • English III

Which excerpt from "The Masque of the Red Death" best shows Prince Prospero’s self-centeredness?

Answer

It was in the eastern or blue chamber in which stood the Prince Prospero as he uttered these words. They rang throughout the seven rooms loudly and clearly, for the prince was a bold and robust man, and the music had become hushed at the waving of his hand.

It was then, however, that the Prince Prospero, maddening with rage and the shame of his own momentary cowardice, rushed hurriedly through the six chambers, while none followed him on account of a deadly terror that had seized upon all.

When the eyes of the Prince Prospero fell upon this spectral image (which, with a slow and solemn movement, as if more fully to sustain its role, stalked to and from among the waltzers) he was seen to be convulsed, in the first moment with a strong shudder either of terror or distaste; but, in the next, his brow reddened with rage.

But the Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless and sagacious. When his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hale and light-hearted friends from among the knights and dames of his court, and with these retired to the deep seclusion of one of his castellated abbeys.

Explanation

Choice D best shows Prospero’s self-centeredness because he protects himself and his wealthy friends while his dominions are being devastated by the plague. He retreats into a secluded abbey and leaves the rest of his people to suffer. The other excerpts mainly show his boldness, fear, or anger rather than his disregard for others.

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