In sharp contrast “the Test” is a twentieth century crime story set in urban America. Benjy Blesker, a teenage boy who had been “falsely” accused of stabbing another boy to death in a gang related brawl. His father hired a well respected lawyer named Vernon Wedge who proved to be anything but affordable yet worth every penny. Although the case starts badly, Vernon finds an Extremely sensitive test which can show if the blade had ever made contact with blood. As it was only found just in time for the last hearing it was disallowed because the defense had no time to prepare for new evidence. However Vernon had intended on this happening as he himself was not so sure about the boys innocence. He instead told the court how keen Benjy was to have the test done in court and no guilty man would. The jury voted him innocent.
Hardy describes a nineteenth century rural scene in the opening pages of his story. The dialogue alone subjects that it was written in the nineteenth century
“The cows were in full pail”
“He do bring home his bride tomorrow”
“Years younger than he they say”
When this dialogue is compared with that of today it is clear that the story was set at least a hundred years ago.
In the first few lines Hardy describes the milkers and milkmaids.
“An old milkman in a long white wropper and with the brim of his hat tied down…….”
Aside from the fact that milking by hand is laughed apon these days, the quick description of what they were wearing is enough to tell you that these people were not from this century.
From the opening lines of “The Test” it is clear that a crime story is about to unfold and an urban setting is gradually established.
“I know why youre here, my phones been ringing all morning. Four newspapers, a youth worker, even a settlement house.”
“He said wearily, pointing to the leather chair in his office”
“I came from prison this morning”
Sleaser describes the situation Benjy’s father is in and in doing so sets the scene perfectly. He mentions many things which only excisted recentley in the first few lines so you know the story is set in the present time. This Gives the reader a lot of information about the story in very few words which makes the reader want to read on. As the story goes on Sleaser explains what happened to benjy through Vernon. While he is describing what happened to Benjy he is also describing what sort of place the story is set in.
“Your boy is accused of knifing another kid in the street. That’s what happened.”
“Theyre all good boys until they start running with a street pack, then theyre something else”
He talks about Street gangs and knifings which is commonly associated with big cities.
When you add this information to the offices and attorneys preiviously mentioned there is too much pointing to an urban setting to deny it.
In “The Withered Arm” Rhoda is described as “lorn”, meaning abandoned and unhappy.
“The thin woman who had not spoken……”
Rhoda lives her life as a social outcast who receives colossal amounts of hurrasment and very little pity. She was a single mother and as this was uncommon in the nineteenth century she was seen and treated as an outsider. Even though it was because of her son that she was treated this way she still loves and takes care of him. However the boys father, Mr. Lodge takes no financial or emotional responsibility for him.
“She was with Mr. Lodge, what did he do?” Rhoda
“Same as usual” Boy
“Took no notice of you?” Rhoda
“none” Boy
Mr Lodge doesn’t want anything to do with his illegitimate son, he treats him like a stranger and regards him as an embaressment. He feels so embarresed about his son he doesn’t even tell his new wife about him.
“how that poor lad stared at me” Gertrude
“I saw that he did” Mr. Lodge
“He is one of the village?”
“I think he lives with his mother a mile or two off”
In contrast to Farmer Lodge, Benjy’s father is extremely supportive and does everything in his power to get the best lawyer he can for his son.
“I have money, the family, we all got together. I run a fuel oil buisiness; I’m selling the big truck. I can pay what you ask Mr. Wedge.”
Benjy’s father, Mr. Blesker begs pleads and tries everything he can to get Vernon to take the case.