August Heat Harvey Analysis
Are men’s lives controlled by chance, fate or Providence? The short story “August Heat” by William Fryer Harvey, about an artist named James Clarence Withencroft and a stone mason named CHS. Atkinson, who stumbled upon each other in Atkinson’s shop, in Clapham, England, on August 20th 190-, explores this question. The coincidence of their meeting could be attributed to chance, fate or providence. However, the author uses direct narration, imagery and symbolism to demonstrate how the impersonal force of fate drives two men to the brink of destruction.
Harvey effectively utilizes direct narration to show the irresistibility of fate. James acts without conscious design. The idea for the picture “came” to him. He places the sketch in his pocket “without quite knowing why.” He wanders the city, ending up at the mason’s yard, with “only the vaguest recollections of where (he) went.” “A sudden impulse” causes him to enter the mason’s yard. Likewise, the mason seems to be controlled by a force beyond himself. He “put down the first thing that came into (his) head” when he inscribed James’ name on the gravestone. When he saw his portrait, the Mason became the man in the picture. That neither man was completely in control of his destiny is …show more content…
Although the gravestone was a “beautiful piece of stone,” a flaw at the back will allow the frost to shatter it. Inscribed with his name, the gravestone represents James and his fate. The mason’s fate is symbolized by the flowers. While they are nurtured and watered, the flowers flourish as did the mason before James’ arrival. Even with care, “the heat sometimes gets the better of the delicate ones.” The mason wilted when he saw his portrait just like the flowers were be annihilated by the heat. Fate has decreed that both men will be ruined just as their symbols, the gravestone and the flowers, are
Harvey effectively utilizes direct narration to show the irresistibility of fate. James acts without conscious design. The idea for the picture “came” to him. He places the sketch in his pocket “without quite knowing why.” He wanders the city, ending up at the mason’s yard, with “only the vaguest recollections of where (he) went.” “A sudden impulse” causes him to enter the mason’s yard. Likewise, the mason seems to be controlled by a force beyond himself. He “put down the first thing that came into (his) head” when he inscribed James’ name on the gravestone. When he saw his portrait, the Mason became the man in the picture. That neither man was completely in control of his destiny is …show more content…
Although the gravestone was a “beautiful piece of stone,” a flaw at the back will allow the frost to shatter it. Inscribed with his name, the gravestone represents James and his fate. The mason’s fate is symbolized by the flowers. While they are nurtured and watered, the flowers flourish as did the mason before James’ arrival. Even with care, “the heat sometimes gets the better of the delicate ones.” The mason wilted when he saw his portrait just like the flowers were be annihilated by the heat. Fate has decreed that both men will be ruined just as their symbols, the gravestone and the flowers, are