Answer :
Final answer:
Poe's excerpts from "The Masque of the Red Death" illustrate the insensitivity of the powerful towards the illness ravaging the populace. They emphasize the wealth and privilege of the characters as they neglect the suffering of others. Through their actions, Poe critiques the selfishness inherent within societal elites during crises.
Explanation:
Identifying Insensitivity in "The Masque of the Red Death"
In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," the following three excerpts highlight the insensitivity of the powerful and wealthy characters towards the suffering of those affected by the plague:
- "The scarlet stains upon the body and especially upon the face of the victim, were the pest ban which shut him out from the aid and from the sympathy of his fellow-men." This suggests that the wealthy characters are indifferent to the plight of the victims, as they would rather isolate themselves than offer any help.
- "The external world could take care of itself. In the meantime it was folly to grieve, or to think." This shows a complete disregard for those suffering outside their extravagant abbey, indicating an attitude of selfishness among the nobility.
- "When his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hale and light-hearted friends..." This reflects a shocking insensitivity, as the prince chooses to celebrate amidst a devastating plague, highlighting a stark contrast to the suffering experienced by the common people.
These excerpts reveal the characters' indifference to the suffering brought on by the Red Death, illustrating themes of privilege and neglect in the face of societal collapse. Edgar Allan Poe uses these moments to criticize the selfishness of the elite during crises.
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