The Masque of the Red Death.

Allegory- two layers of meaning, literal and figurative in the story have these meanings (most of the persons, objects and events stand for abstract ideas or qualities)

-Prince Prospero and chosen others secluded themselves in a castellated abbey to keep away from the disease (plague)
*happiness inside - "Red Death" outside
-Prince decided to have a ball with those who were inside
-According to the story the buildings had apartments that were irregularly disposed so that it made the vision embraced but little more than one at a time
-Sharp turns were every 20 or 30 yards, at each a novel effect. To the right and left a Gothic window was in the middle of each wall that looked out to a closed corridor (stained glass)
-Each room had separate color schemes, except for one. It was all black, but had scarlet red colored panes.
-Not one apartment had a lamp and no light emanating the room, but in the corridor there were braziers opposite to each window. The rays projected through the stained glass windows illumining the rooms.
-Something about the black room made some fear entry. There was a gigantic ebony clock in this room also.
-Each time it chimed people stopped almost nervous, but went back to what they were doing after it stopped.
-The duke's (or Prince's) tastes were strange, peculiar, and some thought him mad, but not his followers.
-Masqueraders in this are compared to dreams and a madman's fancies. None venture into the 7th room.
-While the other rooms are filled with excitement or at least until the clock chimes again this time striking 12 strokes and they stop waiting for it to end.
-During this chiming, however, some start to realize a masked figure that had not been seen before. They find surprise and soon terror then horror.
-The prince was angered at his presence. He had out "Heroded" Herod.
-The prince orders his people to seize this stranger, but they do not.
-He runs through the apartments being chased by this stranger and the others do not help.
-A dagger is pulled and the prince is killed.
-Then the people seize him, but only to find nothing under the figures costume.

Thing/Possible Meaning/Possible Lesson
*Prince/ even a prince dies eventually/ position won't save you
*Abbey/ sort of safe haven/ walls can't protect you from everything
*Seven rooms/ all rooms had life, but black/ there are many seasons of life
*Clock/ life is a ticking clock/ days are numbered
*Stranger/ bringer of death/ can't escape death no matter what you do