Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this story. Which statement best describes how word choice creates
the dreamlike tone in “The Masque of the Red Death”? The emphasis on "madness" tells readers that this story is taking place within the narrator’s mind. Words like embellishments, fete, and masqueraders create a surreal atmosphere. Words like phantasm, bizarre, and delirious create a world that doesn’t seem real. Descriptions emphasize the beauty of the party and enjoyment of the partygoers to create a fanciful effect.
