Analysis

In this section, we will highlight the elements of our analysis of “Miss Brill” by Katherine Mansfield.

The story follows a linear plot structure, using narrative techniques such as backstory and foreshadowing. It also includes non-traditional narrative techniques such as ellipsis (...) and the em dash (-).

The characters include Miss Brill, the protagonist, the boy and the girl who sit next to her, and the other people in the park, as secondary characters.

The events take place somewhere in France, probably in the 1920s. This is where the protagonist, Miss Brill, lives and works. In this particular episode, Miss Brill goes to the Jardins Publiques, like she does every Sunday. However, this time, a couple’s hurtful words upset her. The social setting explores such themes as loneliness, distorted perception of reality, and alienation.

The third-person narrator describes the setting and gives various details about the characters and their interactions with each other.  

The story is told in a descriptive style, with plenty of similes, imagery, and symbolism. The language is moderately complex, mixing narration with an internal monologue, which gives readers access to Miss Brill’s thoughts and feelings. The text also makes use of special symbols such as ellipsis (...) and the em dash (—). 

You can read the full analysis in the following pages.