Compassionate (Metaphor)
Mary Barfoot is a compassionate woman. If she only could, she would definitely help every girl in need. The woman is so kind that she is ready to give a second chance to her former students who have betrayed her trust. When she receives a letter that is filled with cries for help, she can’t “close” her “ears” to it. Mary Barfoot makes up her mind to find a way to help the poor woman who has made a terrible mistake and fell in love with a married man. Though Rhoda tries to convince Mary not to do it, but Mary’s decision is firm.
Be wary (Metaphor)
Miss Rhoda Nunn is not cruel at all. Her heart is in the right place, but she is also very skeptical. Second chances are not for her. Unlike Mary Barfoot, Rhoda is not ready to help those who have betrayed her trust. As soon as she understands that Mary can’t be convinced, Rhoda refuses to give up. “You can trust Miss M. to keep her eyes open,” she says. At last Rhoda wins the argument, at least partially. Mary Barfoot will help Miss M. but not in a way the latter asks.
Eagerness (Metaphor)
Rhoda wants to change the world. She has always been like that, free-spirited and open-minded. Unlike other girls, she hated romantic novels and dreamt of the future in which she was the only one master of her life. Rhoda can be proud of herself, for she achieves her goal. She wants to help other women now. The only problem is that her “zeal” is “eating” her “up.” She is too impatient and impulsive to wait for women to catch up with the idea that they don’t belong to men.
