Miss Brill

Miss Brill by Katherine Mansfield is a very odd, confusing story about a woman who has a very consistent routine that seems to define her in a certain way. Her consistency in her actions reveals a lot about her character and personality throughout the story. So regular are her actions that even those that associate themselves with the "play" that she is regularly a part of recognize not only her, but her continual presence in the same place as always. It goes so far as to bother the boy that is present when he says, "Because of that stupid old thing at the end there?"(186). This indicates the irksome feeling brought on by the presence that Miss Brill provides in the park. This really does seem to trouble Miss Brill and bring her down in spirits. They insult her presence and make remarks regarding the fur that she wears as something not appropriate and bothersome. She felt offended by their remarks and even went so far as to put the fur back in it's place when she returns home. The fur was then personified when it seemed to feel the emotional pain when the author included, "She put the lid on she thought she heard something crying,"(186). This brought forth the realization of just how sad and alone this lady must be in her "Room like a cupboard,"(186).