An Analysis of Life in the Iron-Mills, Examined for Realism and Reform Writing

Realism is seen in the presentation of common, average and ordinary physical details that exist. Realism is a truthful treatment of the characters in the story. A major realistic technique includes using a plot to call attention to the daily experiences of common characters examined in depth. It is seen in the natural flow of the lives of the characters. Realism shows language that is indicative of its subjects in their patterns of communication. Reform is shown in the possible considerations to call for or create change for the present or future, usually shown in the characters actions or words. It is also seen in the interplay of the outside forces attempting to limit an individual's choices (Curnutt) (Ruben).

Common place ordinary questions or comments are one indicator of the focus on realism in this story. Simple everyday questions "Can you see how foggy the day is?" (1192) and descriptions like "only the outline of a dull life"(1192) show the atmosphere of this story as ordinary. The story shows the character Wolfe in a common human introspective way when he thinks about himself "But was there a right or wrong for such as he?" (1213) and when Wolf makes a vocal statement of "Tell my father goodbye; and kiss little Janey"(1213) he makes a wish that any man or woman may make in a desperate situation (Curnutt).

Inside this ordinary place we have unusual conditions. The harsh environment in this story is realistically portrayed by Wolfe's realization of "His squalid daily life, the brutal coarseness eating into his brain, as the ashes into his skin, before, these things had been a dull aching into his conscious; tonight, they were reality" (1205). The use of specific descriptions showing the perceptions of the characters lend to the realism. The description of the statue made of Korl as having "not one line of beauty or grace in it"(1201) is indicative of the cultural and class blindness portrayed by the upper class men. The reference to the statue's expression being a "starving wolf's "(1201) says that Mitchell and the Doctor are so separated from the plight of the worker Wolfe that they are unable to perceive where the sculptor drew his inspiration from (Curnutt). They cannot see that longing for change can create inspiration.

Showing the realistic pitiful, basic existence and conditions of the industrial workers is a primary focus of the author. These poorest of the poor are given the real personalities and consciences in this story. The main characters of Wolfe and the girl Deborah are the ones that actually talk and think about right and wrong and consider at length the potential from their actions. The author made it obvious that they were the lowest class in this story and forced by a combination of themselves and outside forces to remain in that position. Rebecca Harding Davis writes about their condition "The girl's face was haggard and sickly; her eye heavy with sleep and hunger..."(1194) and "There was no warmth, no brilliancy, no summer for this woman; so the stupor and vacancy had time to gnaw into her face perpetually (1196)" showing a dismal physical and mental set of conditions that repels any reader.

We see the workers' conditions from another viewpoint as the Doctor felt that he could influence Wolfe by a kind word and this would somehow transform Wolfe and his life. The Doctor tells Wolfe that he could be a "great sculptor, a great man"(1203) but uses words that speaks down to him as if Wolfe was not capable of understanding rudimentary adult words. Afterwards, the Doctor refuses to assist Wolfe other than with those simple words of encouragement. In the Doctor's opinion if Wolfe is to transform himself he must do it on his own. Mitchell remarks later that "Reform is born of need, not pity"(1204) agreeing with the Doctor and casually showing the mental and physical divide between the rich and poor while dismissing the workers from his concerns.

Religion is used as an additional definer of the downtrodden. It is also in use as an instrument of redemption and reform in this story (Curnutt). The status quo is defined as "they do not ask it of Society or of God"(1192) and with this statement "The lord will take care of his own; or else they can work out their own salvation"(1202). Towards the end of this story, the Quaker woman tells Deborah that she will come to the hill after her time in jail and "thee shall begin thy life again - there on the hills"(1216) showing the potential for uplifting change in Deborah's wretched condition (Curnutt). That Quaker woman assists Deborah during and after prison and shows sympathy and assistance to her in the story creating a transformation of Deborah. Deborah's redemption and final deliverance is shown by "the long years of sunshine, and the fresh air and the slow patient Christ -love"(1216) and summarized by the statement of a condition of hope for the future with "God has set the promise of the dawn"(1217).

Works Cited

Curnutt, Kirk. "Direct addresses, narrative authority, and gender in Rebecca Harding Davis's Life in the Iron Mills." 1994. Find Articles - Style online. 4 July 2007 .

Davis, Rebecca. "Life in the Iron Mills". The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym. W.W. Norton and Company: New York, New York 2003. 1191 - 1217.

Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 5: Late Nineteenth Century - American Realism - A Brief Introduction." 2007. PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. 2 July 2007 .