This musical buildup to the tribalisic community bacchanalia of the fire that is to follow gets to the heart of the fascination that Crane will present in the hearts of both children and adults with fire, and the fire brigades, and the unbearable drama that is about to play before the town. Somebody had grappled the bell-rope in the Methodist church, and now over the town rang this solemn and terrible voice, speaking from the clouds. There was also a kind of rivalry as to which bell should be made to produce the greatest din. Even in the Valley Church, four miles away among the farms, had heard the voices of its brethren, and immediately added a quaint yelp. The Monster was crooning a weird line of negro melody that was scarcely more than a thread of sound, and it paid no heed to the boy.
Death is another theme that is replayed in many of the images throughout the story.
The fact that everyone assumed Henry had died in the fire, and are appalled at his state after he recovers leads one to wonder if Crane wanted his readers to think that even Henry knew he should not have lived. It seemed to spellbind with the power of a funeral. However, on all points of conduct as related to the doctor, who was the moon, they were in complete but unexpressed understanding. When Jimmie gets in trouble the moon does not brightly shine down on him, he becomes the victim of an eclipse. The Williams' have just discovered that Henry has escaped from the cabin and is running loose out in the night.