Poetry · Chapter
At the Eleventh Hour explained
The late Frank Hutchings and Miss Sims, lovers in life, arrive at Heaven's gate.
What happens
The late Frank Hutchings and Miss Sims, lovers in life, arrive at Heaven's gate. Frank, who murdered her and died repentant, is pristine and bright, while Miss Sims is bedraggled and grim. Frank denies her entry, claiming she had no time to repent, but she retorts that she lingered to see a Christian die.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption
Frank Hutchings, a murderer who repented, appears saintly and denies entry to his victim, highlighting the hypocrisy of divine judgment.
Justice and Revenge
Miss Sims' retort about lingering to see a Christian die subverts expectations of justice and revenge.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator describes the scene of Frank Hutchings and Miss Sims approaching Heaven.
- Saint Peter
Implied as the gatekeeper at Heaven's gate, though not directly named.
Key passages
“In life they loved and (God knows why A lover so should sue) He slew her, on the gallows high Died pious—and they flew.”
In life, they were lovers, but for reasons unknown, he killed her; he was executed and died piously, and then they both flew toward Heaven.
Summarizes the backstory of the pair.
“When they’d arrived before the gate He said to her: “My dear, ’Tis hard once more to separate, But you can’t enter here.””
At Heaven's gate, Frank tells Miss Sims that they must part again because she cannot enter.
Frank denies Miss Sims entry to Heaven.
““ ’Tis true,” said she, “and I should wail In Hell even now, but I Lingered about the county jail To see a Christian die.””
Miss Sims agrees that she should be in Hell, but she stayed near the jail to watch a Christian (Frank) be executed.
Miss Sims reveals her motive for staying on Earth after death.