Life in the Iron Mills

by

Rebecca Harding Davis

Quaker woman Character Analysis

The Quaker woman is the gentle and kindly older woman who visits the prison to tend to Hugh’s body after his death. During this time, she meets Deborah and promises to return in three years once Deborah is released from prison. The Quaker woman is true to her word—three years later, she brings Deborah to the Quaker community in the countryside to experience the healing effects of nature and Christian love.
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Quaker woman Character Timeline in Life in the Iron Mills

The timeline below shows where the character Quaker woman appears in Life in the Iron Mills. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Life in the Iron Mills
The City vs. The Country Theme Icon
Coping and Relief Theme Icon
...gathers at Hugh’s cell, including the coroner, a group of reporters, and Kirby. Later, a Quaker woman arrives and stays longer than the other visitors. She tenderly cares for Hugh’s body as... (full context)
The City vs. The Country Theme Icon
Coping and Relief Theme Icon
Words vs. Actions Theme Icon
Putting her arm around Deborah, the Quaker woman points at the hills and stream in the distance and says she lives out in... (full context)
The City vs. The Country Theme Icon
Coping and Relief Theme Icon
Words vs. Actions Theme Icon
The narrator skips forward three years and says the Quaker woman was true to her word. The combination of nature and Christian love transforms Deborah into... (full context)