Michael Thomas Harbuck						English 1102-SCC
Ambrose 								Sanford, Florida
04-02-2008								Literary Analysis Essay

The Darkness Calls

	Known and unknown have manifested themselves in mankind in many fascinating, 

strange and, at some times and places in the past and present, unimaginable ways.  The 

perception of mankind along linear points of time, when which persons at a later period are to 

understand, becomes completely dependent upon the writings and descriptions of persons who 

lived, worked, loved and died at that same period.  Some of these writings are astonishingly 

conventional while being extremely direct with the views and values which they wish to put 

forth onto the table of the adjourned historians.  Spectrally opposite finds those writings which 

convey meanings so hidden in the depths of the shadows of literary art, that these same hints 

of memory and experience forged into mere text by the author must be gleaned from the 

corners of the very pages upon which they are printed.  

	Keys Locks and Open Doors by Jane Wallis Hicks represents one of the more befuddled 

of these aforementioned types of work, whose meanings are not so clear to the reader as some 

stories which may have previously been read.  The story begins with a severe foreboding of 

evil combined with an exhorbantly strong contrast to the contrary.  The total lack of setting in 

the traditional sense, is replaced partly by the symbolism, and the descriptions of certain 

objects and beings along the time line of the work.  A relegation to the reader which can be an 

enjoyable aspect of reading, comes in the form of the malleable persona, whereby one can 

become the narrator, infusing one’s own imagination and experiences into the setting, virtually 

personally customizing the complete cognizant experience.  

Thematically the short story represents a struggle to increase in maturity and 

knowledge, whilst the narrator stands independent between two opposing forces, neither of 

which play a personal role, but rather hinder the forward progress of the narrator, and thus 

man as a whole. This theme becomes portrayed within the various sub-themes and symbolism 

written into the work.  The repeated hints of the struggle to grow, and progress into a new age 

with the associated responsibilities, new found freedoms and enjoyment which follows such a 

forward step are numerous.  The narrator progresses through the story as all the while an 

increasing familial importance corresponding to her age and the natural occurrences thrusts her 

into adulthood.  

Facing the death of a parent is certainly a large part of being an adult, and is 

the first of the mentioned stages of the growth process (3).  The second of the stages toward 

the ultimate goal of self sufficiency is seen in the passing of the keys from her father (18).  

Religion in life performs a function, upon which man and women rely.  As the padre Filton 

breaks the bonds of religion which have bound her to her family and childhood, the narrator 

experiences a new freedom of adulthood, where she is now able to make her conscious 

decisions, and the true nature of a cruel world (49).  This point is strengthened by the 

admonition by the narrator, that she has feigned a family ritual, and therefore shown 

disobedience mutually with free thinking.  In turn, the widow Range is taken ill, the narrator is 

called to her occupation, being that of the mother.  Having already run the trial of the 

household chores, she has graduated to the role of caretaker (63).  After the second death 

which she has had to endure, the narrator has an enlightening to the verity of life.  

Consequently, she makes a decision to be free, to let herself to the outside world; to await 

the unknown with an open mind and heart.  This decision is the culmination of the story, and 

the end of a phase for the young woman, while being only the beginning of the new life; 

rebirth.
	Objects of importance in Keys Locks and Open

	

Keys Locks and Open Doors  by   Jane Wallis Hicks

I – Opener
II – Thesis
III – Theme
IV – Symbology
V- Characterization
VI - Closer 

Theme-	1. The uneducated being thrust into the new world order. 
2. Religion as the savior of mankind.  
3. The role of the guardian of man, and who this will be.  
4. Growth, and or puberty and the yearning to be free, to go out into the world.
	The pain of leaving home, and the associated fear. 
		Free of the double standard of religion and family.
	Curiosity, Adolescence
5. Consequences and responsibility
6. The evil of illiteracy
7. The indescribable energies of the changing times, and how they are
 alliterated. 

Symbology- 	1. Ironwood  - Industrialism
		2. Ironstone   - Fusion of old and new world
		3. Padre - 
		4. Keys – Metal key to responsibility / also imprisoning
		5.  Breakfast Bread
		6. Flinty Ground
		7.  Pa’s skin

Characterization- 	1.  Pa – guardian – father -  God - authority
			2.  Ma
			3.  Bairns (3) dann (2) – Bairn ist ein Kind in der Altsprache
			4.  Rory
			5.  Sim
			6.  Padre Filton
			7.  Lucy Lovedance
			8.  Lucy Makepeace
			9.  Widow Range
			10.  Tildy
			11.  Dog

Significant events – 	1.  Death of Ma – Burial - Natural
			2.  Disappearance of Sim – Consequence
			3.  Displacement of Rory – Consequence 
			4.  First Voices - Undetermined
			5.  Removal of Voices with distance from home.