Question

Traits often associated with the American identity include boldness, confidence, perseverance, and integrity. These traits are often demonstrated through a character’s words or actions. How is boldness reflected in the characters of Rebecca Harding Davis’s story? Choose two characters from "Life in the Iron Mills" and explain how boldness applies to them in the story. Include two properly integrated and cited direct quotations (one related to each character) to support your claims.

Answer 1

Hugh Wolfe and Deborah in 'Life in the Iron Mills' both exhibit boldness in their characters, with Hugh pursuing art against societal norms and Deborah making sacrifices out of love for Hugh.

Their boldness is demonstrated in Hugh's secret passion that is like a 'fire covered with ashes' and Deborah's plea for divine strength in her soul.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Rebecca Harding Davis's Life in the Iron Mills, the trait of boldness is reflected in the characters of Hugh Wolfe and Deborah. Hugh displays boldness through his secret passion for art, which he pursues despite the harsh realities of his life in the mills.

One poignant quotation depicting his boldness is: "His soul was not a soul that she could ever come near, - a fire covered with ashes". This suggests that beneath the oppressive conditions of his work, there is a burning passion and a bold non-conformity to his predetermined role in society.

Similarly, Deborah, who is in love with Hugh, shows her boldness through the sacrifice she makes to try to help Hugh attain a better life.

A compelling quote demonstrating her boldness is when she pleads, "O God! some o' your lightning through my soul!". This call for divine intervention echoes the boldness of her desires and the extremities she is willing to face for Hugh's sake.