Life In the Iron Mills

I'm a little depressed over the ending. However, I can imagine that I wouldn't fare so well in a situation like Hugh's either. Something that really impressed me was the use of really intense color imagery not long before he commits suicide, which makes sense because he's definitely looking at life with a different perspective than before. It's just sad that his only act of free will is his suicide.

Here's a quick example of what I mean. Right before he steals the money,
"There were times when the soft floods of color in the crimson and purple flames, or the clear depth of amber in the water below the bridge, had somehow given him a glimpse of another world than this..." And the passage continues on for quite awhile, with more and more color imagery... It's really a very beautiful passage but it has such a depressing tone that it kind of foreshadows what he's going to do.

And I don't believe it's a coincidence that the author uses the color "black" rather than "red" to describe the blood at the scene... It sets the tone yet again, showing how depressing and horrible the situation is. "Black" isn't the "happiest" color, by any means.

I'm wondering, though, why the author chooses to use so much religious imagery. Why is Hugh so affected by the church? Why does it take the Quaker woman to turn Deb's life around? And, there are two very distinct references from scripture.

"I only want to show you the mote in my brother's eye: then you can see clearly to take it out."

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" Words spoken from Jesus Christ's mouth as he died on the cross.

Why would Davis choose to compare, even if so lightly, the character Hugh and Jesus Christ as Hugh lay dying? It's kind of an ambitious idea, but she doesn't continue the comparison... It ends there.

That's all I've got.