"Life in the Iron Mills" is a short story written by Rebecca Harding Davis in 1861. The story is set in an industrial town in the United States and follows the life of Hugh Wolfe, a worker in an iron mill. Despite its brevity, the story is rich in symbolism and offers a powerful critique of the harsh realities of industrialization and the dehumanization of factory workers.
One of the central symbols in the story is the iron mill itself, which represents the corrupting influence of industrialization on the lives of its workers. The mill is described as a "great furnace" that consumes the lives and energy of its workers, turning them into mere cogs in a machine. This symbolism is reinforced by the description of the workers as "creatures," suggesting that they have been reduced to mere animals by the demands of the mill.
Another important symbol in the story is the furnace, which represents the intense heat and danger of the factory environment. The furnace is described as a "gaping mouth" that "devours" the workers, suggesting the destructive power of industrialization. This symbol is further elaborated upon in the description of the workers as "half-naked, sweating, filthy," with "coarse, black hands" and "bloody, swollen feet." These descriptions highlight the physical toll that the factory environment takes on the workers, as well as their lack of dignity and humanity.
A third important symbol in the story is the clay that Hugh works with, which represents the potential for artistic expression and creativity. Despite the oppressive conditions of the factory, Hugh finds solace in his work with clay, which allows him to express his artistic talents and gives him a sense of purpose and meaning. This symbol suggests that even in the most oppressive and dehumanizing environments, there is still the possibility of artistic expression and the emergence of humanity.
Overall, "Life in the Iron Mills" is a powerful and poignant critique of the dehumanizing effects of industrialization on the lives of factory workers. Through its use of symbolism, the story highlights the corrupting influence of the iron mill, the dangers and hardships of the factory environment, and the potential for artistic expression and human resilience in the face of such oppression.
Life in the Iron Mills
Hugh finds no time to eat his dinner and goes back to do a day of labor in the mills. GradeSaver, 17 October 2018 Web. Along with this image, the narrator also describes a canary, and it is this image that I want to focus on today. She demonstrates her lack of reliability when we see her insane accusations the wallpaper has consciousness! Rather than take the time to cultivate and nurture the dreams of workers, especially Hugh, Kirby decides to let life run its course. Hugh exists in a cage just like the canary. Davis's is not only a dual projection of resentments at her own domestic and artistic oppression, but also an ambitious bi-gender proletarian narrative.
The Use of Symbolism in Yellow Wallpaper and Life in the Iron Mills
She aids Deborah during and after prison, and provides a grave for Hugh. I have no fancy for nursing infant geniuses. Therealso was also a religious conflict. Kirby's brother-in-law and son-in-law of the mill owner , a man broadly educated in the classical sense who was "spending a couple of months in the boarders of a Slave State, to study the institutions of the South" Davis, 17. This lets the reader know that she lied. He feels compassion toward the workers, but the overwhelming task of improving the thousands of workers 1200 at this mill alone prevents him from helping Hugh, even when Hugh asks for it explicitly. The story suddenly feels confusing.
The Power of Art Theme in Life in the Iron Mills
In addition, Hugh carves the statue in a crouching position with her arms extended in a frantic way, making her look as if she is vehemently warning the viewer about something. You can help us out by revising, improving and updating thissection. Light Symbolism in "Life in the Iron Mills" Light Symbolism in "Life in the Iron Mills" Anonymous College In an effort to shed light on the horrid realities surrounding industrialization and capitalism in America during the 1800s, Rebecca Harding Davis wrote a brilliantly realistic prose that captured the tragically enlightening story of a Welsh immigrant iron-mill worker. Retrieved October 26, 2011. Life in the Iron mills still inspires literary criticism. Once home, Deborah confesses to stealing from Mitchell and shamefully gives the money to Wolfe to do with it what he pleases.
Statue Symbol in Life in the Iron Mills
Even at home, the Wolfes are deprived of comfort and beauty. The Bedford edition also explores the relation of Davis to the short story, and how her background influences the narrative. In this manner, the canary served one purpose, to live and work for the miners. The narrator of the story tells us that we must descend "into the thickest of the fog and mud and foul effluvia" in order to understand the conditions that lead a human being to despairing actions. Many readers of the Monthly believed that the author of the story was a man because of Davis's strong language and use of realism. These men stop by to look at the working men, and as they are talking and observing, they spot a weird object that has the shape of a human.
