I have to first say that Davis' use of language in her writing was most enjoyable. Her adjectives and use of personification, along with directly addressing the reader, made the story a very interesting and delightful read.
In her text, Davis gives her readers insight on the lives of below lower working class people; people who work just to barely make it. This is a class of people that are still around today. Often times, in movies and in other readings, the characters are decent looking. There is usually a muscular man, easy on the eyes, supported by a beautiful woman who attends the house and may wash clothes for the wealthy as a little extra cash. Davis does not portray her characters in this way.
The text says that Wolfe "had already lost the strength and instinct vigor of a man, his muscles were thin, his nerves weak, his face (a meek woman's face) haggard, yellow with consumption". It even goes on to say that "he was known as one of the girl-men: "Molly Wolfe" was his sobriquet". Not like the typical "hero" figure in these types of stories at all. But Davis tells her readers constantly that "I dare make my meaning no clearer, but will only tell my story". It is her intentions to make this ugly thing seem no more beautiful than what it is.
"The woman Deborah was like him; only her face was even more ghastly, her lips bluer, her eyes more watery. When she walked, one could see that she was deformed, almost a hunchback." The description of Deborah is "horrific". Women are to be delicate, beautiful, gentle. Not in this text. Again, Davis wants her readers to see the true ugliness of the situation and lives of these two below lower working class immigrants.
Davis is fighting for the immigrants. She wants a change in immigration laws; how they are treated and paid while working. Davis wants for people to take note of the dehumanizing that is portrayed towards this calls of people. She wants for them to at least have an equal fight. I do not think that one topic os more or less powerful. All of the text that we have read are fighting for some just cause. Fighting to prove something and all succeed (no matter whose work got more attention). I could only imagine that if I came from money during this time, and I read this piece by Davis, I would do my party so that someone else may have better.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It's true what you said about the usual character, even in these type of stories. Unkempt and extremely poor man and woman, who still have pleasing qualities and good looks, who rise above the hardships they endure. In Davis' story, none of that is true. Ratty characters with disease and hunchbacks. One of them even dies. I honestly think that is why there has never been a film adaptation of this story. Who would it honestly appeal to today?
ReplyDelete