A Mother In Mannville

The fireplace is the cabin’s only source of heating and the life force of the narrator’s temporary home. It symbolizes comfort and security. Sitting by the fire, Jerry’s thoughts turn to family, and he feels connected enough to the narrator to broach the subject, albeit with a falsehood: “You look a little bit like my mother […] Especially in the dark, by the fire” (247). The spark of maternal instinct and protectiveness the narrator shows in response to the revelation underscores their closeness in this moment. The light from the fireplace also illuminates Jerry, much like the sun does earlier in the narrative and in a way that suggests his integrity, giving him a set-apart quality.

Gloves symbolize warmth and protection—particularly in the story’s relatively impoverished setting, where they likewise indicate status and good fortune. When Jerry describes running errands in the cold, he explains that he, unlike many of the boys at the orphanage, has gloves he can use to shield not only his hands but his face.

In part, because they protect and warm the wearer, gloves also symbolize love; a parent, for example, might remind their children to take gloves before going outside in cold weather.