Color Symbolism in “The Masque of the Red Death”

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Transcript Color Symbolism in “The Masque of the Red Death”

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Now, think of at least ten nouns that either are the same
color or nouns that remind you of your favorite color.
Your list will go on the left hand side of the paper,
underneath the column labels “Nouns.”
Nouns:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Next, think of as many verbs as you can. Write your
verbs in a column next to your nouns. Try to think of
strong verbs that really help paint a picture in a
reader’s mind! (Action verbs!)
Nouns:
Verbs:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Now, match the nouns and verbs. Which
noun fits best with which verb to create the
most vivid picture?
Nouns:
Verbs:
1. mirror
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.liquid
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.slipping
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.reflect
9.
10.
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Now that you’ve matched your nouns and
verbs, CREATE a paragraph/poem/verse/etc.
using those words.
Remember: DO NOT use the actual name of
your color in your writing.
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The east (directional not cultural)
Beginnings
Birth
“unknown”- (Bolt out of the blue.)
Sin: Lust
Nature: water
It can also mean: peace, tranquility, calm, stability,
harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, order,
security, cleanliness, loyalty, cold, technology,
depression.
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Combination of blue (birth) and red (life/intensity)
Beginnings of growth
A period of life when something was accomplished
Sin: Pride
Nature: animals
It can also mean: royalty, spirituality, nobility,
ceremony, mystery, transformation, wisdom,
enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning.
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“spring of life”- (In the prime of his years)
Youth
Sin: Envy
Nature: plants
It can also mean: nature, environment,
health, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor,
spring, envy, generosity, jealousy,
inexperience
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Summer/autumn of life- (beyond his prime but not
yet old)
“The harvest or fulfillment of human labor and
ambition.” - Kermit Vanderbilt
Sin: Gluttony
Nature: energy/ Balance – Sun
It can also mean: energy, balance, warmth,
enthusiasm, vibrancy, expansiveness, flamboyance,
demands for attention, often worn by the selfsacrificing hero, worn by Buddhist monk
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Suggests age
 White hair
 Bones
 Decomposition- approaching death
 Nature: The Sun
 It can also mean: reverence, purity, simplicity,
cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence,
youth, birth, winter, snow, good, marriage (in Western
cultures), cold, death (in Eastern cultures)
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Combination of purple/blue or purple/grey
Shadowy color
Represents gravity, chastity, somberness- the
dignity of old age
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DEATH!!!
The west (directional not cultural)
Nature: primordial void
It can also mean: power, sophistication,
formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear,
evil, depth, anonymity, unhappiness,
style, sadness, remorse, anger,
underground, mourning, death
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East
Life
Beginnings
Sunrise
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West
Death
Endings
Sunset