In a well-developed argumentative essay, defend, challenge, or qualify the following claim

> Poe's story ultimately suggests that no wealth, power, or physical barrier can shield humanity from mortality, and that attempting to deny death only accelerates and amplifies its arrival.

Your essay should:

• Develop a clear, arguable thesis that goes beyond merely summarizing the plot
• Use at least three pieces of textual evidence (imagery, symbolism, setting, or characterization) to support your argument
• Analyze how Poe's Gothic literary techniques — including allegory, atmosphere, and personification — enhance the story's central theme
• Address a counterargument: consider whether Prospero's feast could be interpreted as a significant, if ultimately futile, act of human defiance
• Conclude by linking the story's theme to a broader human truth regarding mortality, hubris, or the limits of power

• Introduce the main argument regarding mortality and human arrogance as depicted in the narrative.
• Examine at least two specific symbols (e.g., the seven color-coded rooms, the ebony clock, the masked figure of the Red Death) and discuss how each supports the story's thematic assertion.
• Analyze Poe's use of setting—specifically the sealed abbey and the journey through its rooms—as a structural metaphor for the stages of life and the inevitability of death.
• Conclude by reflecting on the story's broader allegorical implications: What insights does Poe provide about the human tendency to deny or challenge mortality?

Requirements

• Minimum 4–5 paragraphs (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion)
• Include direct textual evidence (quotes or close paraphrase) with analysis
• Avoid plot summary; concentrate on how and why Poe makes his artistic choices
• Maintain a formal academic tone throughout