Davis and Wilson

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the two works "Life in the Iron Mills" by Rebecca Harding Davis, and "St. Elmo" by Augusta Evans Wilson. The paper also looks at the differences between male and female artists in nineteenth century America. According to the paper, these two works are written from very different perspectives and viewpoints, and yet, they share many commonalities.

From the Paper:

"Artists seem to suffer the world over. The term "starving artist" had to originate somewhere, and perhaps it originated in the nineteenth century steel mills such as the one Hugh works in. Hugh is an artist, but he does not have the time or money to truly hone his craft. Davis writes, "Out of the blocks of this korl, Wolfe, in his off-hours from the furnace, had a habit of chipping and moulding figures,--hideous, fantastic enough, but sometimes strangely beautiful" (Davis). The problem Hugh faces, besides money, is being taken seriously as an artist and a man. His co-workers do not understand his artistic side, and jeer at him and his creations. Thus, not only does he face crushing poverty and little time to devote to his artistic talents, he also faces derision from his co-workers, who do not take his art seriously. More than that, he faces disinterest from the people who could help him. They are too selfish and self-centered to aid someone who needs help. They "wash their hands" of those they feel they cannot help, and with no remorse."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Davis, Rebecca Harding. "Life in the Iron-Mills." Samford University. 2006. 2 Dec. 2006.< http://www.samford.edu/schools/artsci/english/lasseter/editiron.htm >
• Editors. "Augusta Evans Wilson." Alabama Women's Hall of Fame. 2000. 2 Dec. 2006.< http://www.awhf.org/wilson.html >
• Harris, Sharon M. Rebecca Harding Davis and American Realism. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1991.
• Wilson, Augusta Evans. St. Elmo. (E-book edition). EBooksLibrary. 2004.

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