It is clear that Davis\u2019 life, specifically graduating from Seminary, played a vital role in \u201cLife in the Iron Mill\u201d. I could not help but notice the influence faith and Christianity had in Davis\u2019 writing. Throughout the entire short story there were constant references to God, angels, Judgment Day, Hell, Heaven , Esau and his birthright, a story directly from the Christian Bible as well as the mentioning of the soul and body being separate.<\/p>\n
To me, Wolfe\u2019s dilemma with stealing and then being sent to prison for nineteen years is a direct parallel to the Christian belief that God judges and punishes people for their sin. I thought it was ironic that when Wolfe was struggling with his decision to stea,l that \u201cThou shall not steal\u201d is one of the Ten Commandments. The story mentions that Wolfe\u2019s, \u201cfaith was sublime\u201d, but in that moment he made the decision to not follow his faith. Then once Wolfe is punished and imprisoned, it seems as if he is now living in Hell, as if God has judged him. This parallel between what happens in the afterlife, according to the Christian faith and what is happening to Wolfe is evident to me when the story says, \u201cHis dumb soul was alone with God in judgment\u201d (2786) Wolfe is miserable and his life behind bars seems even more like Hell when Wolfe cries out, \u201c How long, O Lord? How Long?\u201d (2786). Since he was sentenced to nineteen years, it seems like he will be in prison for an eternity, which is how long a person\u2019s soul will be in Hell (or Heaven).<\/p>\n
I also thought there was reference to Christianity, specifically Hell, with all the dark imagery used throughout \u201cLife in the Iron Mill\u201d. \u00a0With words life \u201calley\u201d, \u201cmuddy\u201d, \u201ccity of fires\u201d and also the metaphor used to describe the men as \u201crevengeful ghosts\u201d illustrated the dark imagery to not only to describe Wolfe\u2019s predicament, but life as a factory worker.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It is clear that Davis\u2019 life, specifically graduating from Seminary, played a vital role in \u201cLife in the Iron Mill\u201d. I could not help but notice the influence faith and Christianity had in Davis\u2019 writing. Throughout the entire short story there were constant references to God, angels, Judgment Day, Hell, Heaven , Esau and his<\/p>\n