The Imagery of Gerty
Cummins writes, “Many people were passing, but no one noticed the little girl, for no one in the world cared for her. She was clad in the poorest of garments; her hair was long, thick, and uncombed, and her complexion was sallow, and her whole appearance was unhealthy…But the poor little thing was told, a dozen times a-day, that she was the worst-looking child in the world, and the worst-behaved." Gerty's look affirms that she is neither groomed nor loved. Accordingly, she is subjected to unwarranted bullying due to her unappealing form. She is not absolutely happy due to the insinuations which underscore her insignificance. Her lack of social support and love makes her vulnerable to childhood trauma.
The Imagery of Gerty’s Assault
Cummin writes, “Just then Nan Grant came to the door, saw what had happened, and pulled the child into the house, amidst blows and profane, brutal language. The lamplighter tried to appease her, but she shut the door in his face. Gerty was scolded, beaten, deprived of her usual crust for her supper, and shut up in her dark attic for the night." Grant does not treasure Gerty for she is not her biological daughter. Grant assaults her mercilessly as a means to displace the hatred she has for her. Grant equates Gerty to a burden; hence, she does not recognize the implications of the physical and emotional abuse to which she subjects her.
Darkness
Cummin describes, “When Gerty found herself locked up for the night in the dark garret--Gerty hated and feared the dark--she stood for a minute perfectly still, then suddenly began to stamp and scream, tried to beat open the door, and shouted…There was no moon; but as Gerty looked up, she saw shining upon her one bright star.” Gerty dreads darkness for it denotes gloominess unlike light which cheers her up and lightens her. The star reduces the anxiety she feels while in the darkness. Beholding the star calms her and diverts her thoughts from the pervasive darkness which she dreads.
Playmates
Cummin describes, “Back of Nan Grant's house was a large wood and coal-yard, and beyond that a wharf, and the thick, muddy water of a dock. Gerty might have found many playmates in this place. She sometimes did mingle with the boys and girls, ragged like herself, who played in the yard; but not often--there was a league against her among the children of the place. Poor, ragged, and miserably cared for, as they were, they knew that Gerty was more neglected and abused.” Gerty’s playmates are similar for they experience different forms of abuse. It would be impossible for Gerty to interact with kids from well off-families, who are taken care of and loved by their parents, due to different social circumstances of their lives.
