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Select the correct text(s) in the passage.

Which three parts of this excerpt from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" highlight the suggestion that the powerful and wealthy in the story are insensitive toward the outbreak of the disease and those who are suffering?

1. "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."

2. "The external world could take care of itself. In the meantime it was folly to grieve, or to think."

3. "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."

Answer :

Final answer:

The three highlighted sections from "The Masque of the Red Death" illustrate the insensitivity of the wealthy toward the suffering caused by the plague. They demonstrate a selfish desire to ignore the crisis by focusing on indulgence and denial. Poe uses these moments to critique social attitudes during times of disaster.


Explanation:

Highlighting Insensitivity in "The Masque of the Red Death"

In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," the following three parts of the passage demonstrate the insensitivity of the wealthy and powerful toward the outbreak of the disease:

  1. The "Red Death" had long devastated the country. This line sets a grim backdrop, indicating that the plague is not just a distant threat but a widespread affliction that the characters in the story willingly ignore.
  2. The external world could take care of itself. This phrase highlights the stark disregard of the Prince Prospero and his courtiers for those suffering from the plague outside their walls, reflecting a selfish desire to maintain their merry lifestyle amidst crisis.
  3. It was folly to grieve, or to think. Here, Poe emphasizes the characters' determination to escape reality, suggesting that they believe in the power of denial over acknowledging the suffering around them.

Conclusion

These highlighted sections illustrate how the privileged characters prioritize their own comfort and revelry, illustrating a broader commentary on social insensitivity during times of crisis.


Learn more about social insensitivity here:

https://brainly.com/question/47896458


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