Ignorance and religion

In Melville’s “The Paradise of Bachelors and the Tarturus Maids,” an interesting contrast is shown between two extremely different social classes: that of the extravagant bachelors, and the hardworking maids. The bachelor’s live an enjoyable and relaxing life, with no worries on their mind. The narrator provides an in depth description as the band of bachelors indulge themselves in a feast consisting of roast beef, chicken pot pie, and “endless other savory things” (Melville, 1262). Ironically, the bachelors seem to have “tender concern for each other’s health,” yet seem to care little about the people who are in the greatest need (Melville, 1262). The second short story paints a gripping picture of the lives of these less fortunate, described by Melville as the “Tarturous Maids.” Melville’s perspective is made obvious by the naming of landmarks as “Mad Maid’s Bellows’-pipe” and the “Devil’s Dungeon Paper Mill” (Melville, 1266, 1267). The girls are constantly described as “sheet white” with blank white expressions (Melville, 1274). Rather than making their live easier, the technology has instead enslaved them. The author’s addition of Cupid into the story also provides an interesting perspective. The name could definitely be an attempt to link the bachelors to Cupid’s ignorance. Melville tries to make the point that in reality the bachelors are no different than this happy, red faced fellow, who witnesses atrocities in the mill every day, yet pays no attention to them.

One parallel that can be drawn between Davis’ “Life in the Iron Mills,” and Melville’s short story are the existing religious motifs. In Melville’s story, the two contrasting ways of life represent such opposite ends of the spectrum that he directly characterizes them as the heaven or paradise of Bachelors, and the “Devil’s Dungeon Paper Mill,” or hell. However, in Davis’ work a distinction definitely remains, yet it is not as direct and obvious. Davis similarly describes the lives of the iron mill workers as hell, something they are often asking themselves if they can be saved from by religion, or anything at all. Yet rather than providing an obvious contrasting description like the story of the bachelors, heaven seems to be the only contrast between the iron mill hell they live in.
The combination of ignorance and religion by both authors also provides a very interesting perspective. In our world, as well as throughout the past, these things seemed to have gone hand in hand. Numerous examples could be provided ranging from the crusades to the present terrorist attacks. It seems like both authors could be trying to make a point. Dont combine ignorance and religion, just like you cant combine ignorance and technology