The Armor of Light: A Novel

Content Warning: This section of the guide mentions death by suicide and anti-gay bias.

Sal Clitheroe is the central figure in The Armor of Light. As a working-class woman, her experience of the revolution in the textile industry provides the audience with a glimpse into the rapidly changing society. The death of Sal’s husband in an accident caused by the wealthy Will Riddick is a microcosm of the class struggle in Sal’s society: A working-class man suffers due to the pomposity and foolishness of his wealthy employer, whose class position protects him from any responsibility. Sal’s early tragedies sketch the class divide in all its unfairness. Without Harry, Sal struggles to get by. When she does actively stand up for herself by challenging Will, she is banished from her small town. Sal’s early experiences illustrate the plight of poor people and show how class stratification is maintained.

Both as a widow and as Jarge’s wife, Sal is exposed to increasingly effective forms of resistance. She is a driving force behind the Socratic Society and the trade union, two organizations that hope to educate and defend working class people. By organizing, Sal sees how the hands such as herself can better their position.