How the Steel Was TemperedPPT
AcknowledgmentsThis article is based on a talk given at the University of Chi...
AcknowledgmentsThis article is based on a talk given at the University of Chicago on February 15, 1914, and is included in the author's collection of short stories, How the Steel Was Tempered.I. The Apparition in the ForgeThe forge at the ironworks glowed with a dull, sullen heat. Swinging the ponderous hammer with unremitting energy, the journeyman smith1 labored at the anvil, shaping a piece of iron. The clang of the hammer was the clang of his heart,2 a clang of life. The sparks flew from the anvil and were lost in the black depths of the forge.3Suddenly, from the shadowy recesses of the workshop,4 a figure emerged and stood before the forge. It was the apparition of a man with bowed head and covered shoulders, a figure muffled in a gray shroud.5 The face,6 aged and careworn,7 was framed in gray hair that hung in disorder about it.8 The eyes alone were alive with human intelligence9 and gazed steadfastly into the forge.10II. The Vision of Red DeathThe smith11 paused for an instant in his labors and stared at the apparition in amazement.12 He thought he had seen that face before, but could not remember where.13 The vision14 remained motionless,15 its gaze fixed upon the forge.16 It seemed to be drawing something from its heat and life.17The smith's18 mind was filled with a vision of red death19 —a vision that had haunted him20 for many years.21 He saw a woman's face22 with a look of agony23 on it,24 her hands25 pressed tightly to her bosom26 as if in an agony of27 mental and physical suffering.28 There was something inexplicably fixed29 in the attitude of her hands on her bosom.30 The smith31 started32 at this resemblance33 to his long-dead mother,34 who had died35 by violence36 years ago.37III. The AwakeningThe clang of the hammer had ceased.38 The smith was standing before the forge,39 his hands still raised as if to resume his work.40 But he made no effort to do so.41 He was lost in thought,42 pondering43 over what he had seen and felt.44He realized that he had been startled45 out of his usual absorption46 in his work by the vision he had seen.47 It was not until he had become aware that he was not alone that he started48 and looked around him.49He was still standing50 in front of the forge51 when he heard52 a sound behind him and turned around quickly to face53 his visitor.54 The two men55 confronted each other in silence,56 both of them speechless from surprise.57 Then58 they recognized each other,59 and mutual exclamations60 of astonishment61 were heard from them.62 They were equal in their amazement63 and curiosity64 at this unexpected meeting.65
