Answer :
Final answer:
The highlighted passages from Poe's story illustrate the detachment of the wealthy from the suffering of others during the outbreak of the 'Red Death.' They show a prioritization of pleasure and entertainment while ignoring the desperation outside their walls. Collectively, these excerpts reveal a profound insensitivity towards the plight of the afflicted.
Explanation:
Highlighted Parts Suggesting Insensitivity of the Wealthy
In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death", three key passages highlight the insensitivity of the powerful and wealthy towards the suffering caused by the outbreak of the "Red Death":
- "The prince had provided all the appliances of pleasure. There were buffoons, there were improvisatori, there were ballet-dancers, there were musicians, there was Beauty, there was wine." - This excerpt illustrates how Prince Prospero and his guests prioritize their entertainment over the suffering happening outside their walls.
- "They resolved to leave means neither of ingress nor egress to the sudden impulses of despair or of frenzy from within." - Here, the courtiers’ decision to seal themselves off shows a blatant disregard for the external crisis, indicating their desire to escape reality rather than assist those in need.
- "The external world could take care of itself. In the meantime, it was folly to grieve, or to think." - This statement encapsulates their belief that the suffering of others is irrelevant to their extravagant lifestyle, highlighting their arrogance and insensitivity.
These passages collectively emphasize the selfishness and moral blindness of the wealthy in the narrative, as they retreat into a world of luxury while ignoring the horrors of disease ravaging their society.
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