Red Masque of Death: A Halloween Mini-Project
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we interpret the symbols and setting of "The Masque of the Red Death" to understand timeless human anxieties about death, fear, and social inequality?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How does the story use symbolism to explore universal themes of death, fear, and mortality?
- How does the setting of the story contribute to its overall mood and meaning?
- In what ways does the story reflect the social and cultural anxieties of Poe's time?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand symbolism in literature
- Analyze the impact of setting on mood and meaning
- Relate literary themes to social and cultural anxieties
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsMysterious Invitation
Students receive an elaborate, hand-delivered invitation to a masked ball, reminiscent of Prince Prospero's abbey. The invitation hints at an impending crisis and tasks them with uncovering the secrets hidden within the story to prepare for the 'Red Death'.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Symbolism Decoder
Students identify and interpret key symbols in "The Masque of the Red Death," focusing on their potential meanings and how they contribute to the story's themes.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed symbol chart with interpretations and justifications from the text.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Understand symbolism in literature.Setting as a Stage
Students explore how Poe uses the setting of Prince Prospero's abbey to create mood and meaning, paying attention to the arrangement of the rooms, the colors, and the overall atmosphere.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual representation of the abbey with an accompanying paragraph analyzing its impact on the story.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Analyze the impact of setting on mood and meaning.Anxiety Time Capsule
Students research the social and cultural anxieties of Poe's time (e.g., disease, class divisions) and connect them to the themes in "The Masque of the Red Death."Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA short essay connecting the story's themes to the social and cultural anxieties of Poe's time.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Relate literary themes to social and cultural anxieties.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioThe Red Masque of Death Portfolio Rubric
Symbolism Decoder
Assessment of student's ability to identify, interpret, and justify the use of symbolism in the story.Identification of Symbols
Ability to recognize and list key symbols within the text.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies a comprehensive range of symbols with insightful selections that go beyond the obvious. Shows perceptive awareness of subtle symbolic elements.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies most of the major symbols present in the story. Demonstrates clear understanding of symbolic representation.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some symbols, but misses key elements. Shows a basic understanding of symbolism with some inaccuracies.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify symbols within the text. Shows minimal understanding of what constitutes a symbol.
Interpretation of Symbols
Depth and accuracy of symbolic interpretations.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides nuanced and insightful interpretations of the symbols, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their potential meanings. Explores multiple layers of meaning and considers the broader context of the story.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers accurate and thoughtful interpretations of the symbols, demonstrating a solid understanding of their significance. Connects interpretations to the story's themes.
Developing
2 PointsProvides simplistic or surface-level interpretations of the symbols. Shows some understanding but lacks depth and nuance.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to interpret the symbols, offering vague or inaccurate explanations. Demonstrates limited understanding of their significance.
Justification from Text
Use of textual evidence to support symbolic interpretations.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides ample and compelling textual evidence to support interpretations. Effectively integrates quotations and references to strengthen analysis.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides sufficient textual evidence to support interpretations. Accurately cites relevant passages from the text.
Developing
2 PointsProvides limited or weak textual evidence to support interpretations. May include irrelevant or loosely connected quotations.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides little to no textual evidence to support interpretations. Fails to connect analysis to specific passages in the text.
Setting as a Stage
Assessment of student's ability to analyze the impact of setting on mood and meaning.Visual Representation
Clarity and accuracy of the abbey sketch or diagram.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a detailed and accurate visual representation of the abbey, including all significant rooms and color schemes. Demonstrates a strong understanding of the setting's layout and design.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates a clear and accurate visual representation of the abbey, including most of the important rooms and color schemes. Shows a good understanding of the setting's key features.
Developing
2 PointsCreates a basic visual representation of the abbey, but may omit some details or include inaccuracies. Shows a partial understanding of the setting.
Beginning
1 PointsCreates a vague or incomplete visual representation of the abbey. Struggles to depict the setting accurately.
Analysis of Setting Elements
Depth of analysis of how setting elements contribute to the story's mood.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a thorough and insightful analysis of how specific setting elements (e.g., the ebony clock, the colored windows) contribute to the story's mood. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the relationship between setting and atmosphere.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers a clear and thoughtful analysis of how the setting elements contribute to the story's mood. Connects specific details to the overall atmosphere.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a superficial analysis of the setting elements and their impact on mood. Shows some awareness but lacks depth and insight.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to analyze the setting elements and their effect on the story's mood. Demonstrates limited understanding of the connection between setting and atmosphere.
Connection to Themes
Explanation of how the setting enhances the story's themes.
Exemplary
4 PointsArticulates a compelling and insightful explanation of how the setting enhances the story's themes of death and confinement. Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the thematic significance of the setting.
Proficient
3 PointsClearly explains how the setting enhances the story's themes of death and confinement. Connects the setting to the story's central ideas.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of how the setting relates to the story's themes. Shows some awareness but lacks depth and clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to explain how the setting connects to the story's themes. Demonstrates limited understanding of the thematic significance of the setting.
Anxiety Time Capsule
Assessment of student's ability to relate literary themes to social and cultural anxieties.Research and Identification
Accuracy and relevance of research on 19th-century anxieties.
Exemplary
4 PointsConducts thorough and insightful research on 19th-century anxieties, accurately identifying key social and cultural issues related to disease, mortality, and social inequality. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the historical context.
Proficient
3 PointsConducts sufficient research on 19th-century anxieties, accurately identifying relevant social and cultural issues. Shows a good understanding of the historical context.
Developing
2 PointsConducts limited research on 19th-century anxieties, identifying some relevant issues but missing key elements. Shows a partial understanding of the historical context.
Beginning
1 PointsConducts minimal or inaccurate research on 19th-century anxieties. Struggles to identify relevant social and cultural issues. Demonstrates limited understanding of the historical context.
Connection to Story
Ability to connect story passages to researched anxieties.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies specific passages in the story that powerfully and convincingly reflect researched anxieties. Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the relationship between the text and its historical context.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies specific passages in the story that clearly reflect researched anxieties. Connects the text to its historical context.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some passages in the story that loosely relate to researched anxieties. Shows some awareness but lacks depth and precision.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to connect story passages to researched anxieties. Demonstrates limited understanding of the relationship between the text and its historical context.
Essay Quality
Clarity and coherence of the essay explaining the connection.
Exemplary
4 PointsWrites a clear, concise, and insightful essay that compellingly explains how Poe's story responds to or comments on the social and cultural issues of his time. Demonstrates exceptional critical thinking and writing skills.
Proficient
3 PointsWrites a clear and well-organized essay that explains how Poe's story responds to or comments on the social and cultural issues of his time. Shows good critical thinking and writing skills.
Developing
2 PointsWrites an essay that attempts to explain the connection between Poe's story and the social and cultural issues of his time, but lacks clarity and coherence. Shows some critical thinking but needs further development.
Beginning
1 PointsWrites an incomplete or incoherent essay that struggles to explain the connection between Poe's story and the social and cultural issues of his time. Demonstrates limited critical thinking and writing skills.