Chapter 18 "Rhobert" Summary

"Rhobert" is a character sketch of a man who is sinking into a life of sin. He is described as an upright man who had rickets as a child. His legs are wobbly. He does not care that he is wasting his life. He does not care about his wife and children. He knows only that he is sinking. Once Rhobert's fate is sealed, the community, helpless, watches him go down.

Chapter 18 "Rhobert" Analysis

The language of the story is rich and poetic. The narrator relies on metaphor to describe Rhobert's fate. Rhobert himself seemingly cannot change this fate nor can those around him, who see his life wasting away in sinful behavior.

The narrator references a house Rhobert wears on his head and Rhobert's wobbly legs. These are figurative descriptions of Rhobert's environment and his moral structure. The...