Symbolism in "The Mask of the Red Death" Thesis: Poe uses symbolism to unfold this gripping tale of terror. I. The first symbol in the story is the name of the Prince himself, Prince II. The ebony clock is another major symbol within this tale. III. The black room is the most prominent symbol in the story but is not clear until the end. The mood of this story is set as a description of the Red Death is laid out for the reader. "The ‘Red Death' had long devastated the country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or hideous." (Poe 72) This disease left scarlet stains upon it victims skin. Any victim of this disease was tota