Symbolism and "The Masque of the Red Death"

This story is a pretty good allegory. What is an allegory? This is what we call a work that is, itself--from beginning to end, an extended metaphor or symbol.

So why are the colors related to the stages of life instead of things like general emotions, and how do we know? Well, in an allegory, everything works together, like the pieces of a clock--all of the gears fitting together to give meaning to the story. The rooms are arranged from east to west. What else goes from east to west?

Yes. In short, everything in this story relates to death and how we deal with the prospect of death.

Prince Prospero deals with a plague by locking himself in a fortified castle. He and his partygoers are disguised so that death may not recognize them. Prospero is literally attempting to deter and hide from death.

No one at the party is willing to check out the black room, as it creeps them out. However, the clock is always there to bring their attention to the passing of time, chiming every hour to remind them of the end drawing ever nearer.