Barriers Burned Away · Chapter
Bill Cronk's Toast explained
Dennis, weary and discouraged after a day of manual labor, buys a supper for Christine but gives most of it to the starving Bruder children he finds on the street.
What happens
Dennis, weary and discouraged after a day of manual labor, buys a supper for Christine but gives most of it to the starving Bruder children he finds on the street. He brings the orphans to the church where Christine is waiting, and she tenderly cares for them. Later, at a makeshift meal, Bill Cronk offers a clumsy toast to the union of Yankee and German, embarrassing Christine and Dennis but prompting laughter from the group.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Dennis sacrifices his last money and his planned supper for Christine to feed the starving Bruder children, demonstrating selfless love.
Social Class and Barriers
Dennis feels the distance between himself and the Baroness Ludolph as he labors as a common worker, and Bill Cronk's toast highlights the mixing of social classes after the fire.
Suffering and Providence
Christine turns from the mystery of her father's death to faith, and Dennis trusts that God will provide for the orphaned Bruder children.
Characters to notice
- Dennis Fleet
Works all day shoveling bricks, spends his last money on a supper for Christine but gives it to the Bruder children, then brings the orphans to the church.
- Christine Ludolph
Waits anxiously for Dennis, cares for the Bruder children, and shows tenderness and humor in her interactions with Dennis.
- Bill Cronk
Makes a well-meaning but awkward toast about the union of Yankee and German, causing embarrassment and laughter.
- Ernst
One of the Bruder orphans; he clings to Dennis and tells the story of his mother's death.
- Dr. Arten
Present at the meal, enjoys Bill Cronk's toast and laughs heartily.
- Miss Winthrop
Referred to as Mrs. Leonard; Christine busies herself with her and the distribution of food.
Key passages
“Tears would start from her eyes at the thought of her father, but she realized that the only thing for her to do was to shroud his memory in a great, forgiving pity, and put it away forever.”
Christine wept for her father but decided she must forgive him and move on.
Christine resolves to let go of her grief and forgive her father.
“He did not realize that few men have lived who could be brave and hopeful when weary and hungry, and fewer still, when, in addition, they doubted the favor of the lady of their love.”
Dennis didn't understand that it's nearly impossible to stay brave and hopeful when tired, hungry, and uncertain of his beloved's feelings.
Narrator reflects on Dennis's discouragement.
“Prudence whispered, 'You cannot afford to burden yourself with all these children,' and pride added, 'What a figure you will make in presenting yourself before the Baroness Ludolph with all these children at your heels!' But he put such thoughts resolutely aside, and spoke like a brother.”
Dennis ignored his practical worries and pride, choosing to treat the orphans like family.
Dennis decides to care for the Bruder children despite the cost.
“The United States of Ameriky! When the two great elemental races—the sanguinary Yankee and the phlegmatic German—become one, and, as represented in the blooded team before me, pull in the traces together, how will the ship of state go forward!”
Bill Cronk toasts to the union of Yankee and German, symbolized by Dennis and Christine, as a powerful force for America's future.
Bill Cronk's awkward but heartfelt toast.
