Poe's Short Stories

Some people argue that the masqued ball is just a dream. How does Poe use specific diction here that would support that argument?

From the story, The Masque of the Red Death

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Poe speaks to the fantastic and details the supernatural..... the spectral image, the walk through the chambers, the Prince's pale courtiers.

When the eyes of Prince Prospero fell upon this spectral image (which with a slow and solemn movement, as if more fully to sustain its role, stalked to and fro among the waltzers) he was seen to be convulsed, in the first moment with a strong shudder either of terror or distaste; but, in the next, his brow reddened with rage.

It was in the blue room where stood the prince, with a group of pale courtiers by his side.

And now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death. He had come like a thief in the night. And one by one dropped the revellers in the blood-bedewed halls of their revel, and died each in the despairing posture of his fall. And the life of the ebony clock went out with that of the last of the gay. And the flames of the tripods expired. And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all.

Source(s)

The Masque of the Red Death