# The Night of Death explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

## What happens

A mother and her children face a deadly storm. She is forced to consider sacrificing one child to save the others, but her son Bennie trusts in Christ, takes the little one, and survives the night. After the storm, he returns the child safely, demonstrating faith and divine protection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Divine Justice

Bennie's unwavering trust in Christ during the storm and his safe return illustrate faith as a source of deliverance and divine justice.

### Resilience and Sacrifice

The mother's agonizing choice and Bennie's selfless act of taking the child demonstrate resilience and sacrifice in the face of mortal danger.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator recounts the harrowing night of the storm and the family's ordeal.

### Brother Benny

Bennie shows courageous faith by taking the little child and trusting in Christ through the storm.

### Mother

The terror-stricken mother must decide which child to leave behind, and later mourns before being reunited with Bennie and the child.

### Christ

Bennie trusts in Christ as his guardian, and Christ is credited with guiding him to safety.

## Key lines

> Then she said unto her daughter, “Strive to save one child from death.” “Which one?” said the anxious daughter, as she stood with bated breath.

The mother tells her daughter to try to save at least one child, and the daughter anxiously asks which one to save.

_Highlights the impossible choice forced upon the mother by the storm._

> “I will trust in Christ,” he answered; Grasped the little one and smiled.

Bennie declares his faith in Christ, takes the small child, and smiles confidently.

_Shows Bennie's faith and courage in the face of danger._

> “Didn’t I tell you true?” said Bennie, And his eyes were full of light, “When I told you God would help me Through the dark and dreadful night?”

Bennie asks his mother if he hadn't been right when he said God would help him through the terrible night, his eyes shining.

_Reveals the fulfillment of Bennie's faith and the joy of reunion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-night-of-death
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters