An Analysis of Imagery and Satire in 'Bliss' - A Short Story by Katherine Mansfield

Katherine Mansfield was one of the very few writers in English to succeed in establishing a reputation entirely on the basis of the short story form. This article explores Mansfield's short story 'Bliss', illustrating in particular how the author employs symbolic imagery as a means to satirize her characters. Mansfield is regarded as a literary modernist. In her writing she arrived at a singular prose style which utilized associated imagery within an integrated symbolic language. The 'tall, slender, pear tree in fullest, richest bloom' (p.177), is arguably the central image of 'Bliss'.

In this story Mansfield uses imagery as an effective means of satire. Observed from Bertha's perspective, the pretentious Mrs Norman Knight's coat, adorned with a frieze of monkeys, appears to enhance the woman's simian appearance. This particular image is subsequently bolstered when Mrs Norman Knight is described as 'crouched before the fire in her banana skins' (p.180). The recurrent image of the moon is also laughably alluded to with the ridiculous Eddie Warren's 'immense white silk scarf' (p.179) and matching white socks.

Bertha is satirized through the colours of her outfit evoking the earlier description of the pear tree: 'A white dress, a string of jade beads, green shoes and stockings... She had thought of this scheme hours before she stood at the drawing-room window' (p.178). Although imagery is frequently employed in aesthetic art, Mansfield is clearly using it for instructive purposes, as satire is largely viewed as an instrumental device. Through her complex figurative associations, she is highlighting the naivety of Bertha and the absurd mediocrity of her guests.

An Analysis of Imagery and Satire in 'Bliss' - A Short Story by Katherine Mansfield

'Bliss' is related from an impartial perspective which invites the reader to assess the characters with little to no authorial influence. It is written in the third-person, although there are rare moments of second-person viewpoint, apparent in the use of the word 'you', deployed in the line: 'What can you do if you are thirty and, turning the corner of your own street, you are overcome, suddenly, by a feeling of bliss' (p.174). Mansfield's choice to address the reader directly here serves to further immerse them within her narrative. 'Bliss' also launches into the story with little in the way of narrative exposition.

A major characteristic of the modernist short story is that it discounted plot in favour of epiphany. Epiphany in literature is a profoundly dramatic scene where a character (or reader) is enlightened through some sort of revelation. Mansfield knowingly employed it as the focal point in many of her stories, for example, in 'Bliss' the whole narrative framework appears to function as a build up to Bertha realising her husband is having an affair with Pearl Fulton: 'His lips said: "I adore you," and Miss Fulton laid her moonbeam fingers on his cheeks and smiled her sleepy smile' (p.85). This shocking revelation is consolidated by the fact that Bertha was under the illusion she shared a profound friendship with Miss Fulton, apparent in the scene where the two women are admiring the pear tree: 'How long did they stand there? Both, as it were, caught in that circle of unearthly light, understanding each other perfectly' (p.183).

Katherine Mansfield instrumentally employed imagery and symbolism as an effective means to satirize the naivety and pretensions of her characters in 'Bliss'.

An Analysis of Imagery and Satire in 'Bliss' - A Short Story by Katherine Mansfield
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The Literary Index features a vast array of links to academic writings on novels and poetry I have found on the net. The site covers a wide range of literature on over 300 authors and is of interest to anyone studying novels or poetry at advanced or degree level, as well as readers interested in exploring a certain work in greater depth. Ben H. Wright is an independent scholar and researcher. He is also Webmaster of The Literary Index.

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"A Day's Wait" Short Story - A General Analysis

Regarding the plot of this short story, "A Day's Wait" by Ernest Hemingway, and to obtain a general understanding, it involved a nine-year-old child named Schatz, his father, and his doctor. Schatz believed that he is going to die when the doctor told his father that he is suffering from a fever of 102 degrees.

The story took place before 9:00 a.m. one morning when Schatz walked into his father's room looking ill and after 11:00 a.m. when his father returned from hunting and found him being uncooperative. The season is either fall or winter because of frozen ice on the ground. The story took place at Schatz's residence and appeared to be in a country other than France by all indications. Contemporary time seemed evident from the story based on various references.

Short Fiction

Schatz being diagnosed with a 102 degree temperate started the critical stage. His knowledge of the differences in the reading of the thermometers ended the critical stage. The story concluded when he realized he is not going to die from the high temperature. He returned to a calming state thereafter and cried at every little thing of no importance.

"A Day's Wait" Short Story - A General Analysis

The structure of the story showed a very complicated process. The structural complication started when Schatz walked into his father's room and moved slowly as if he were aching and appearing to be ill. The conflict occurred when his father touched his forehead and determined that Schatz had a fever.

 The crisis started when the doctor diagnosed Schatz with a fever of 102 degrees, treated him for influenza and prescribed medication. Schatz had the impression that he will die because of a belief he experienced in France when the boys there told him temperatures over forty-four degrees caused death. The ending of the crisis occurred when his dad told him about the differences in reading a thermometer. The climax occurred when he realized that he is not going to die. The resolution period occurred when he relaxed after realizing he is not going to die, and cried about everything of little or no importance.

Schatz characterization is that of a protagonist in the story. He displayed both positive and negative characteristics. He is a very determined nine year old child with a set mind. He displayed a strong will and seemed not easily shaken from his position. He has a good memory by recalling what the boys who attended school in France had told him about individuals dying from temperature above forty-four degrees.

Schatz could also be classified as an antagonist in this story. He fought to prevent himself from overcoming his illness. He appeared to be his own worst enemy. He believed everything he heard especially the story from the boys in France. He appeared to be a snotty nose brat who would not listen to his father, and reprimand his helpers at home in his father's absence. He acted disobediently and shunned those who tried to help him.

The main movers in this story are Schatz's father who eventually calmed him down and the doctor who had diagnosed Schatz's with influenza, temperature above 102 degrees, and treated him with medication. The background people in this story are the schoolboys in France who planted the idea of death in Schatz's mind. The people at his residence who tried to help him and whom he refused to let into the room after his father went hunting with his Irish setter dog are also movers. Howard Pyle's reading from the Book of Pirates, and the unknown third party in the room with Schatz's father (presumed parent) when he first entered and looking ill also moved the story along.

The sidekicks in this story are the people Schatz's refused to let into his room after his father went hunting with his Irish setter dog. These individuals are probably servants who carried out the biddings of Schatz.

Regarding the theme, this story has several of them as follows. The first theme is "Don't believe what you hear." In this story Schatz believed what he had heard from the boys in France about a person dying when the temperate goes above forty-five degrees. He did not check out the facts, and as a result, he believed that he would die because his temperature is 102 degrees. The second theme is "Don't' give up so easily." Schatz refused to fight his illness to the end. He gave up and is awaiting death because of his belief about the higher temperature. The third is, "After the storm there must be a calm." We see Schatz reaching a state of calming down after he realized that he is not going to die. His calming down state of mind is a result of the differences in the temperature which his father explained to him after he learned about what the boys in France told his son about the temperatures above forty-five degree causing death.

The resolution occurred when Schatz returned to normal and accepted his father's opinion and explanation regarding the difference in the temperature and the thermostat. He was once again friends with everyone and his life returned to normal. This is really an interesting short story by Ernest Hemingway, which spelled out all the corresponding elements quite clearly. 

"A Day's Wait" Short Story - A General Analysis

Joseph S. Spence, Sr. (aka "Epulaeryu Master"), is the author of "The Awakened One Poetics" (2009), which is published in seven different languages. He also co-authored two poetry books, "A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul" (2005), and "Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul," (2006). He invented the Epulaeryu poetry form, which focuses on succulent cuisines. Joseph is a Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Arkansas. He has completed over twenty years of service with the U.S. Army.

[http://www.trilogypoetry.com/]

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