This section comes from the beginning of this excellent
story and helps to establish the situation of Jim and Della, and in particular the
poverty in which they live. Note what we ahve already been told about them. The fact
that they are finding it hard to make ends meet is shown by the way in which Della has
only been able to save "once dollar and eighty-seven cents" after months of scrimping
and saving. The flat in which they live we are told "had that word on the lookout for
the mendicancy squad," which obviously refers to the poor appearance of their belongings
and their lack of possessions.
Bearing in mind this
context, therefore, the quote you have highlighted serves to further reinforce their
poverty. They receive no post and they cannot afford to fix the electric button that is
for their apartment. However, this was not always the case, as we are told that Jim,
Della's husband, had enjoyed prosperity when he had a job which gave him $30 per week.
However, that was a time in the past, as the next sentence tells us: Jim only receives
$20 a week now, and this fall in circumstances is felt most keenly by both of
them.
No comments:
Post a Comment