Answer :
Final answer:
In Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," the text highlights the indifference of the wealthy through key excerpts. Three significant lines emphasize their insensitivity: the devastation of the country, the dismissal of grief, and the notion that the external world can fend for itself. These sections powerfully reflect the noble characters' disconnection from the reality faced by the suffering population.
Explanation:
Identifying Insensitivity in "The Masque of the Red Death"
In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," several portions of the text highlight the insensitivity of the wealthy Prince Prospero and his guests towards the suffering caused by the Red Death plague. Here are three extracts that underscore this theme:
- The Red Death had long devastated the country. This opening line establishes the extent of the devastation caused by the plague, suggesting that many are suffering, while contrasting with the prince's response.
- In the meantime it was folly to grieve, or to think. This statement reflects the careless attitude of Prospero and his courtiers; rather than acknowledging or empathizing with the suffering outside, they dismiss it as folly.
- The external world could take care of itself. This phrase encapsulates the elite’s disregard for the plight of others, highlighting their detachment from the reality of the disease raging outside their luxurious isolation.
Through these excerpts, Poe effectively critiques the indifference of the powerful towards the suffering of the less fortunate, emphasizing a broader commentary on social responsibility and empathy.
Learn more about insensitivity of the wealthy here:
https://brainly.com/question/41353508