An Analysis of Theme of Katherine Mansfield's Miss Brill
             "Miss Brill" a fictional story written by Katherine Mansfield, was published in 1922. The story depicts Miss Brill as a disillusioned, elderly woman, desperately seeking acceptance from the society in which she lives. She thinks of herself as an "actress" performing to an audience every Sunday afternoon in the Jardins Publiques. Adorned in her precious fur, she thinks herself to be an active, important participant, in the world around her. She is emotionally devastated when a young couple shatters her fantasy by a comment that she is a "stupid old thing." Mansfield's use of character, action, and symbolism help communicate her message in this story. The need for acceptance, and belonging, at any age, is important to human survival.
             Miss Brill is a lonely, sickly woman in denial. Her lack of self awareness is evident to everyone but her. She is aging quickly, with her own death near at hand. She transfers these feelings to her fur. She acts as if it is a human companion. Thinking it asks "What has been happening to me?" (131). Miss Brill also does not acknowledge her body's deterioration. She feels tingling in her hands and arms but that "came from walking she supposed." (131). Once at the park, Miss Brill comments "that the people were odd, nearly old, and from the way they stared they looked as though they'd just come from little rooms or even cupboards." (132). She does not realize how lonely, and desperate for attention she truly is.
             The theme is further conveyed through the actions in the story. Miss Brill is overjoyed to see so many people have decided to join her in the park for the seasons' festivities. "The blue sky is powdered with gold and great spots of light like white wine." (131). She observes the couples strolling in the sun. The "...