Question

"he had come like a thief in the night" Where in literature is this allusion taken from? What is the significance of the allusion?

Answer 1

@kittiwitti1

Answer 2

... You would mention me lol
Is this the entire context of the question?

Answer 3

yes

Answer 4

My guess is it comes from Poe.
Oh.
Just researched it and it DOES come from Poe. Score one for me! xD

However, it also comes from the Bible (so I don't know which one you should use, ask your teacher):
1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 (NIV) for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

And what do you mean by "significance of this allusion"? Based on my interpretation of what you're asking, the allusion is signifying how the Red Death (assuming you're still referencing the Red Death) appeared out of nowhere - soundlessly - in the middle of a crowd, just like a thief would come silently in the night to rob someone of their valuables.

Backup source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081111105308AAw30l7