Barriers Burned Away · Chapter
Just in Time explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Ludolph and Christine discuss Dennis Fleet's character and background, revealing their contrasting views on faith and ambition. The scene shifts to the Bruder family's attic, where Mrs. Bruder, exhausted and starving, collapses in despair. Her husband, Bruder, attempts to sell their last treasured painting to buy drink, but Dennis Fleet arrives just in time to intervene.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Providence
Mrs. Bruder's despair and Ernst's faith in God's help illustrate the struggle between suffering and divine providence.
Redemption and Transformation
The painting symbolizes Bruder's lost artistic soul and the possibility of redemption if he overcomes his addiction.
Social Class and Barriers
The juxtaposition of the Ludolphs' luxury and the Bruders' poverty underscores class divides.
Characters to notice
- Christine Ludolph
Discusses Dennis with her father, showing curiosity about his artistic knowledge and disdain for American 'uppish notions'.
- Mr. Ludolph
Analyzes Dennis's character cynically, predicting he will resist Christine's influence due to his faith.
- Dennis Fleet
Arrives at the Bruder attic at the critical moment, blocking Bruder from selling the painting.
- Mrs. Bruder
Collapses from exhaustion and hunger, pleading with her husband not to sell the painting, their last hope.
- Mr. Bruder
In a drunken frenzy, attempts to sell the family's last painting to buy drink, but is stopped by Dennis.
- Ernst
The Bruders' son, watches with sorrow and tries to comfort his mother, then greets Dennis with joy.
Key passages
“The blind are not more oblivious to color than he was to those divine qualities which are designed to win and enchain the heart.”
Dennis is as unaware of spiritual qualities as a blind person is of color.
Mr. Ludolph's cynical view of Dennis's faith.
“I can do not von more stroke if ve all die.”
I cannot do another stroke of washing even if we all die.
Mrs. Bruder's cry of utter exhaustion and despair.
“Dot picture dells you vat you vas, vat you might be still if you vould only let drink alone.”
That painting shows you what you were and what you could still be if you stopped drinking.
Mrs. Bruder pleads with her husband not to sell the painting, their last hope for his redemption.