Life in the iron mills-Ali Pepin

This story centered around the Civil War era definitely hit on issues larger than the new woman. With the mills and the work that took place inside them, it is almost more of a story of capitalism and the injustice it brings to each class. Davis' book really enforces the idea of powerlessness of the people almost posing them in a servitude of some sort. With Deborah especially, with her humpback-(almost like she's being weighted down and hunched by the stresses of life, rather than a body disformity), and her 'servitude' to Hugh as she brings his lunch to him. She's a hard worker, and gives most of her time to Hugh. Men are certainly portrayed as the hard workers in this story, completely overshadowing the women and their constant work. It is also interesting how the narrator is kept an omniscient Voice that leads you to wonder the point of view this story is coming from. Then the Quaker woman at the end who helps Deborah-and note that this is a woman taking care of Hugh's body-almost like a woman doing a man's job. Overall the story had an interesting story line and illustrated how industrialism was a factor in the development of the modern woman.