# XLI: Fire! Fire! explained — Barriers Burned Away

> Chapter companion for Barriers Burned Away by Edward Payson Roe.

## What happens

Christine, in despair after Dennis's rejection, resolves never to help him win earthly greatness. Meanwhile, a great fire breaks out, and Dennis rushes to save the Bruder family. Mrs. Bruder perishes after retrieving her husband's portrait. Earlier, at an art exhibition, Dennis wins a prize and is congratulated by Christine, but he coldly rebuffs her. Later, tormented, he wanders to the Ludolph mansion, drawn by conflicting emotions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Mrs. Bruder sacrifices her life to save her husband's portrait, while Christine's love for Dennis is evident in her timid approach and subsequent sorrow.

### Suffering and Providence

Christine's bitter revery and Dennis's internal torment reflect suffering, while Mrs. Bruder's final prayer suggests a trust in divine care.

### Art and Ambition

Dennis wins a prize for his painting, and Christine's artistic expression through singing and painting is central to her emotional state.

## Character check-ins

### Dennis Fleet

Rushes to save the Bruder family from the fire, wins a prize at the art exhibition, and coldly rebuffs Christine's congratulations.

### Christine Ludolph

Spends the day in bitter revery, resolves never to help Dennis, and later timidly congratulates him only to be rebuffed.

### Mr. Ludolph

Leaves Christine for his place of business, hoping to prevent her meeting Dennis, and later sits in his library planning to send her to Germany.

### Mrs. Bruder

Frantically saves her children from the fire but rushes back to retrieve her husband's portrait and dies protecting it.

### Ernst

Helps Dennis dress the children and leads his younger brother to safety.

### Dr. Arten

Presents Dennis with a check for two thousand dollars and praises his artistic merit.

## Key lines

> I have stamped out his love by my folly, and now his words, ‘I despise you,’ express the whole wretched truth.

Christine believes she has destroyed Dennis's love through her own foolishness and that his contempt is justified.

_Christine's self-blame and despair after Dennis's rejection._

> Dot picture saved mine Berthold life—yes, more, more, him brought back his artist soul.

Mrs. Bruder insists that the portrait of her husband saved his life and restored his artistic spirit.

_Mrs. Bruder's devotion to the portrait as a symbol of her husband's redemption._

> Will Mr. Fleet deign to receive my congratulations also?

Christine timidly asks Dennis if he will accept her congratulations.

_Christine's hesitant approach to Dennis after his prize._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xli-fire-fire
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barriers_burned_away_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters