Student Question
What do the comparisons of pearls to tears, rubies to heart's blood, and diamonds to gunpowder suggest in The Duchess and the Jeweller?
Quick answer:
In "The Duchess and the Jeweller," the comparisons of pearls to tears, rubies to heart's blood, and diamonds to gunpowder highlight class conflict and Oliver Bacon's personal struggles. Pearls and rubies symbolize the blood and sweat Oliver invested in rising from poverty, illustrating his excessive desire for wealth. Diamonds as gunpowder reflect his animosity and jealousy toward the aristocracy, portraying them as a weapon against those he resents. Woolf uses these comparisons to underscore class-based anger.
By making these comparisons, the author is bringing out the theme of class conflict. She is showing A) how hard Oliver has had to work to get himself up from poverty and B) how much he resents those who are his social "betters."
When Oliver refers to the pearls as tears and the rubies as blood, he is alluding to how hard he had to work to become rich. He is saying that he put his blood and tears into getting those things. Woolf is commenting here on how excessive Oliver's desire for wealth is,
When Oliver refers to the diamonds as gunpowder, he is expressing his hatred. We can see from his relationship with the duchess that he harbors animosity and jealousy towards the aristocracy. He sees his diamonds as a way to destroy them, as a weapon.
By making these comparisons, then, Woolf is showing the strength of class-based anger in Oliver Bacon.
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