How do you interpret the Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe?

Okay so I read this story in my english cl, I absolutely loved it but well i really didnt get it its just like we hide away from the Red Death and we'll be safe? and then this phantasm who kills people just comes i really dont get it I just wanna kno how you interpret this story, I was a little lost, and the clock wats that about I really dont get wat that signifies, This would really help for a test coming up.