Why does the ebony clock have a effect on dancers in the masque of the red death?

In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," the ebony clock serves as a poignant reminder of the inevitability of death. Its striking chimes interrupt the revelry of the dancers, causing them to momentarily pause and reflect on their mortality. The clock's ominous presence symbolizes the relentless passage of time and the inescapable fate that awaits everyone, ultimately heightening the atmosphere of dread and highlighting the theme of life’s transience amidst the masquerade.