Introduction to The Doll’s House
Katherine Mansfield’s “The Doll’s House” is set in a small, provincial town in New Zealand, where the lives of children and their families are depicted with keen insight and delicate detail. The story centers around a beautiful, elaborate doll’s house that is gifted to the Burnell children by their mother. The doll’s house becomes a symbol of societal status, innocence, and the divisions that exist within the community.
Mansfield employs a third-person narrative that offers an intimate view of the children’s perspectives, especially focusing on the youngest girl, Kezia, who is portrayed as innocent and compassionate. The story is rich with symbolism and social commentary, using the doll’s house as a device to critique class discrimination and the loss of innocence.
Summary of The Doll’s House
The Gift of the Doll’s House
The story begins with the Burnell children receiving a beautiful doll’s house as a gift. Their mother is proud of the doll’s house and allows them to show it to their friends. The doll’s house is detailed, ornate, and represents wealth and social status. The Burnell children, especially the older girls, are eager to display it, and they quickly become the center of attention among their classmates.
The Social Divisions and the Children’s Reactions
The story highlights the social divisions through the reactions of the children. The wealthy girls, such as Isabel and Lottie, are proud of their privilege and enjoy showing off the doll’s house. Conversely, some children like the Kelvey sisters, who are from a lower social class, are excluded from viewing the doll’s house and are made to feel inferior.
Despite the exclusion, Kezia, the youngest Burnell girl, shows kindness and empathy towards the Kelvey sisters. She secretly invites them to see the doll’s house, demonstrating her innocence and moral sense. This act of kindness becomes a pivotal moment in the story, emphasizing themes of compassion and human decency.
The Symbolism of the Doll’s House
The doll’s house itself is a symbol of social hierarchy and materialism. Its ornate design and grandeur reflect the societal obsession with status and appearances. The story critiques this obsession by contrasting the superficial beauty of the doll’s house with the genuine kindness shown by Kezia.
The house also symbolizes childhood innocence and the capacity for empathy, which Mansfield suggests can transcend social divisions. Kezia’s act of kindness contrasts sharply with the cruelty and exclusiveness of the other children, illustrating Mansfield’s message about human nature and societal values.
The Climax and Resolution
The climax occurs when the Kelvey sisters are excluded and ridiculed by the other children. Kezia, feeling sorry for them, secretly invites the Kelveys to see the doll’s house. This act of kindness is discovered, and the other children mock Kezia, criticizing her for her compassion.
However, Mansfield leaves the story with a sense of hope. Kezia’s innocence and empathy shine through, suggesting that goodness and kindness are more valuable than social status. The story ends with a reflection on the importance of compassion and the potential for change in societal attitudes.
Themes in The Doll’s House
1. Social Class and Inequality
One of the central themes is the division between the rich and the poor. Mansfield vividly depicts how social class influences children’s attitudes and behaviors. The doll’s house, a symbol of wealth, becomes a tool for social stratification, with the wealthier children enjoying privileges denied to others.
The Kelvey sisters represent the lower class, and their exclusion underscores societal prejudices. Mansfield criticizes these divisions, highlighting the need for compassion and understanding across social boundaries.
2. Childhood Innocence and Moral Growth
The story emphasizes the innocence of children and their capacity for kindness. Kezia’s act of inviting the Kelveys to see the doll’s house symbolizes moral growth and empathy. Mansfield suggests that genuine kindness is rooted in innocence and moral integrity, contrasting it with the superficiality of materialism.
Kezia’s innocence is portrayed as a virtue that can bring about social change, emphasizing the importance of nurturing compassion in children.
3. Prejudice and Social Exclusion
Mansfield explores how prejudice and societal expectations lead to exclusion and cruelty. The children’s behavior reflects societal norms that favor the privileged and marginalize the underprivileged. Mansfield critiques this mindset and advocates for empathy and acceptance.
The story demonstrates how social prejudices can be challenged through acts of kindness and understanding, as exemplified by Kezia.
4. Materialism vs. Humanity
The ornate doll’s house symbolizes material wealth, which Mansfield critiques as superficial and divisive. The story encourages readers to value human qualities like kindness and empathy over material possessions.
Kezia’s compassion contrasts with the superficial admiration for the doll’s house, suggesting that true worth lies in human virtues.
Character Analysis
Kezia Burnell
Kezia is depicted as innocent, kind, and morally upright. Her compassion for the Kelvey sisters and her refusal to conform to the cruelty of her older sisters make her the moral center of the story. Mansfield uses Kezia to embody innocence and the potential for moral growth.
The Burnell Sisters: Isabel and Lottie
Isabel, the eldest, is proud of her social status and enjoys showing off the doll’s house. Lottie, her younger sister, is also interested in the doll’s house but is less prominent. Their characters represent societal superficiality and materialism.
The Kelvey Sisters: Lena and Else
The Kelvey sisters are from a lower social class and are ridiculed by the other children. Their characters highlight societal prejudices and the harsh realities faced by the lower classes. Despite their social status, Mansfield portrays them with dignity and innocence.
The Mother of the Burnell Children
The mother is proud of her children and the doll’s house, reflecting societal values of status and material achievement. She represents societal norms that Mansfield subtly critiques.
Literary Devices and Style
Symbolism
- The doll’s house symbolizes wealth, social status, and materialism.
- The Kelvey sisters symbolize social injustice and prejudice.
- Kezia’s act of kindness symbolizes moral virtue and innocence.
Irony
The story employs situational irony, where the beautiful doll’s house, intended as a symbol of wealth, ultimately highlights social divisions and superficial values.
Characterization
Mansfield’s nuanced characters reveal societal attitudes and moral qualities, especially through Kezia’s innocence and compassion.
Language and Tone
The language is simple yet evocative, capturing the innocence of childhood and the subtle complexities of social critique. The tone shifts from admiration of the doll’s house to reflection on societal faults, culminating in hopeful moral commentary.
Conclusion
Katherine Mansfield’s “The Doll’s House” is a profound exploration of societal divisions, innocence, and compassion. Through the symbolic doll’s house and the characters’ interactions, Mansfield critiques materialism and prejudice while emphasizing the importance of kindness and moral integrity. The story remains relevant today as a reminder of the enduring need for empathy and understanding across social boundaries. Its timeless themes and delicate storytelling continue to resonate with readers, making it a quintessential piece of modernist literature and a powerful commentary on human nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Katherine Mansfield's 'The Doll's House'?
The main theme of 'The Doll's House' is social class and the innocence of childhood, highlighting the prejudices and societal divisions that influence perceptions and behavior.
How does Mansfield portray social inequality in 'The Doll's House'?
Mansfield depicts social inequality through the contrasting treatment of the Burnell sisters and the Kelvey girls, emphasizing class distinctions and the exclusion faced by those of lower social status.
What role does the doll's house itself play in the story?
The doll's house symbolizes social status and material wealth, acting as a focal point for themes of envy, exclusion, and the superficial nature of social divisions.
How do the children’s attitudes towards the Kelvey girls reflect societal prejudices?
The children's attitudes, marked by snobbery and exclusion, reflect societal prejudices against lower-class individuals, revealing how childhood perceptions are influenced by social hierarchies.
What is the significance of the ending in 'The Doll's House'?
The ending signifies a moral awakening as the Kelvey girls are included in the children’s group, suggesting Mansfield's message about kindness overcoming social prejudices and the potential for empathy.
