In Mrs. Viggiano’s English 10 class, students recently experienced a spine-tingling twist on literature with a “The Masque of the Red Death” escape room. This interactive activity served as the culmination of their in-depth study of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story, following weeks of close reading, analysis of literary devices, and Regents-style writing assignments.
The classroom was transformed into an immersive, suspenseful setting, complete with eerie music that set the tone and challenged students to work together to solve a series of themed puzzles. Each task required them to apply their understanding of the text—examining character motivations, symbolism, and plot details—to unlock the next stage of the activity.
The escape room provided an engaging and memorable way to reinforce critical thinking and literary analysis skills, while adding a fun, hands-on dimension to their study. Students left the experience not only entertained but with a deeper appreciation for Poe’s masterful storytelling.
