Fireplace for Family

In this rather peculiar book, fully comprehending every reason Agee does something is a bit more difficult than some other works. Examining the piece about the fireplace, I find myself believing the large amount of detail put into the description has a lot to do with picturing a better or more relaxed life. Agee describes many pictures of people in relaxing behaviors ranging from “happy young housewives at resplendent stoves in sunloved kitchens” and old ladies leaning back in rocking chairs” to “young matrons in new play frocks” and “dickensians at Christmas dinner” (175). When one considers the extreme poverty of the time—which brought Agee and Evans to the Ricketts in the first place—it does not seem unlikely a display of hope would draw attention from Agee. Traditionally, the fireplace is the gathering place for a family; a fireplace can give warmth and comfort in the cold of winter. Perhaps, the Ricketts were adorning the fireplace with the many knick-knacks and pictures to create warmth in the face of poverty.

One key note seemed out of place to me in the passage. Agee notes the Ricketts have lived in the area longer than other families, and I wonder if his insertion of the detailed description of the fireplace relates to this fact. As I mentioned above, I believe the adornment of the fireplace is a way to ward off the thoughts of poverty, and perhaps, Agee notes the fireplace as a way of showing even the most rooted family can be in need of hope. In theory, the family who has been in the area the longest should be the one for whom a reading audience would most be able to feel. Assuming Agee understands the audience reading his work, a scene like the fireplace would be an appealing possibility.

The only other part of the passage that sticks out to me is the advertisements words finishing the large paragraph before moving onto other furniture. The advertisements could be a way of allowing readers to relate to the Ricketts. The interest in merchandise would show the readers from cities the farmers Agee is observing are not ages away from urban people socially. This seems the most unlikely to me, but it is a possibility to be noted.