Answer :
Final answer:
Edgar Allan Poe's excerpt from "The Masque of the Red Death" demonstrates the insensitivity of the wealthy through their disregard for the suffering caused by the plague. Key passages emphasize their alienation of victims, dismissive attitudes, and belief in their invulnerability due to wealth. This paints a stark picture of class disparity during a crisis.
Explanation:
Analysis of Class Disparity in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death"
The excerpt from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" highlights the insensitivity of the wealthy and powerful towards the suffering of others during a devastating plague. Here are three key parts of the passage that illustrate this theme:
- "The scarlst 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 line emphasizes how the visible effects of the disease alienate victims from society, showcasing the lack of compassion from those who are healthy.
- "The external world could take care of itself. In the meantime it was folly to grieve, or to think." This statement reflects the dismissive attitude of the prince and his courtiers, suggesting that they prioritize their own pleasure and safety over the suffering of others.
- "With such precautions the courtiers might bid defiance to contagion." This indicates their belief that wealth and privilege can protect them from the realities faced by the less fortunate, reinforcing their disregard for the plight of those outside their walls.
These excerpts collectively highlight the arrogance and detachment of the wealthy as they choose to ignore the devastation caused by the "Red Death," illustrating a critical commentary on social disparities.
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