The Pocketbook, the Heart, and the Head

Rebecca Harding Davis' "Life in the Iron Mills" is a wonderfully written work portraying the distinct lifestyle contrast between the working class and middle to upper class citizens of the 19^th century. Through working class character, Hugh Wolfe's, encounter with Kirby, Dr. May and Mitchell, Davis provides clear examples of the typical elements of upper class society. It can easily be interpreted, with each man representing one faction of society, that Kirby is the pocketbook, Dr. May the heart, and Mitchell the head.

As in most societies, both before and after the 19^th century, money is the force that runs civilization. Naturally, this being the case, those who have money often are the most powerful and wish to stay that way. This is exactly the case with Kirby, being representative of the entire elite class in thinking and in action. Much like a pocketbook, he and his privileged counterparts see their only obligation as to hold the money. Kirby does not feel in any way responsible for the well being of those "lower" than he. Kirby is quoted to say:

'...I wash my hands of all social problems,- slavery, caste, white or black. My duty to my operatives has a narrow limit,- the pay hour on Saturday night. Outside of that I don't care if they cut korl, or cut each other's throats (the more popular amusement of the two) I am not responsible' (Davis 1202).

Davis, however, does not limit herself to dialogue to portray this blindness of upper society to the needs of the lower class, but also uses actions, such as the scene in which the poor conditions of the workers are pointed out to the overseer and he fails to respond. As Davis writes, "The overseer did not hear him, he was talking of net profits just then" (Davis 1199).

Another aspect of society made abundantly clear is the so-called, upper class heart. Through Dr. May, the clearly self-serving philanthropy of the supposed heart is exposed. While May encourages Wolfe to do better because "it is his right," his only true interest is to demonstrate his own "kindness". However, the falsehood of this compassion is evident with Dr. May's refusal to help:

May stopped, heated glowing with his own, magnanimity. And it was magnanimous...

'Make yourself what you will. It is your right'

'I know,' [said Hugh] quietly, 'will you help me?'

Mitchell laughed again, the doctor turned now in a passion.

'You know Mitchell I have not the means. You know if I had, it is in my heart to take this boy in and to educate him for'-

'The glory of God and the glory of John May' (Davis 1204).

Through this dialogue between Mitchell, May and Wolfe, the superficial motives of the societal heart are revealed. It is a mentality in which giving is only gratifying when it is self-serving. This heart of the upper class is truly no heart at all because while it talks of charity and self-reliance, it does nothing more to help achieve the goal of good for the common man. The heart is merely self-absorbed hypocrisy.

The final element of society examined by Davis is that of the head. Represented by Mitchell, this is the fragment of society that, unlike the others, is not ignorant of the horrid state of well being in which the working class exists. The head understands where these citizens are standing, yet uses their misfortune to expose their own academic prowess as well as their superb education and cultural refinement. They understand that as long as the lower class is held down, the head will always be on top of society. As is shown in this excerpt, Mitchell (the head) often speaks in foreign languages and riddles to prove his scholarly skills:

'...Why May, look at him [Wolfe]! De profundis clamavi. Or to quote in English, 'Hungry and thirsty his soul faints in him.' And so Money sends back its answer into the depths through you, Kirby! Very clear the answer too! I think I remember reading the same words somewhere: washing your hands in Eau de Cologne, and saying, 'I am innocent of the blood of this man. See ye to it'' (Davis 1203).

As can easily be seen, while intelligent and "proper", Mitchell, the head, has no regard for humanity and its well-being. The head cares only about intellect, culture, knowledge and the finer things in life.

It is clear through the dialogue of these men that their presence in this work is more than that of individual men. They are representative of an all too familiar society in which the elites find what they consider to be happiness through mere self- absorption. Through this thoroughly realistic piece, Davis hopes to portray the truth to those like Kirby, May and Mitchell in anticipation that someday their ignorance will disappear and they too will begin to live a life for the good of the entire community, not just for their own self-serving interests.

Works Cited:

Davis, Rebecca. Life In the Iron Mills. New York: Norton, 2003