Sketch the character of Bertha Young. /Sketch the character of Pearl Fulton. /Sketch the character of Harry Young. /Sketch the character of Eddie Warren./ Sketch the character of Mr. Norman Knight. /Sketch the character of Mrs. Knight. / Sketch the character of Nurse. /Sketch the character of Little B.
Sketch the character of Bertha Young.
Sketch the character of Pearl Fulton.
Sketch the character of Harry Young.
Sketch the character of Eddie Warren.
Sketch the character of Mr. Norman Knight.
Sketch the character of Mrs. Knight.
Sketch the character of Nurse.
Sketch the character of Little B.
Bertha Young
The protagonist of Katherine Mansfield's "Bliss," Bertha Young, is a wealthy middle-class woman married to Harry and the mother of a young daughter, Little B. Bertha is depicted as a sociable individual who experiences emotions intensely and desires to be open about her feelings. However, the societal norms and propriety of British society during the period constrain her from expressing herself openly. Despite her lack of a bold or daring personality, Bertha struggles to question authority and be honest about her desires within the societal framework.
Bertha's attempts to communicate with those around her are evident in her external appearance and the thoughtful decoration of her house. Her interest in modern social questions and contemporary artistic movements reflects her desire to surround herself with interesting and informed companions. The narrative highlights Bertha's excitement about her feelings for Pearl Fulton, a friend invited to her dinner party. However, Bertha appears sexually naïve, seemingly unaware of the romantic nature of her attraction to Pearl.
Bertha's sexual naivety extends to her relationship with her husband, as she avoids a sexual connection with him. This avoidance suggests potential homosexuality or, at the very least, a significant emotional and sexual disconnect between Bertha and her husband. Despite being a grateful woman who strives for contentment in her life, Bertha is burdened by the restrictive social conditions of her time. The narrative suggests that she may not fully recognize the true nature of her emotions, further complicating her understanding of herself and her relationships. The exploration of Bertha's internal struggles with societal expectations and her own desires forms a central theme in Mansfield's narrative.
Pearl Fulton
Pearl Fulton, a friend of Bertha Young in Katherine Mansfield's "Bliss," is a character shrouded in mystery and ambiguity throughout the narrative. Bertha invites Pearl to her dinner party, unaware of the secret affair between Pearl and her husband, Harry. The portrayal of Pearl is primarily through external appearances and Bertha's perception of her, providing little insight into Pearl's internal state.
Pearl is associated with beauty, reflected in her name and her choice of a silver outfit. The silver outfit is symbolically connected to the pear tree and moonlight in the story, creating an aura of elegance and enigma around Pearl. Despite her beauty, Pearl remains reserved and maintains a certain distance, creating an air of mystery. Bertha interprets Pearl's reserve as a sign of mutual attraction, assuming that Pearl shares the same feelings as Bertha.
However, the story takes a surprising turn when it is revealed that Pearl is engaged in an affair with Harry. This revelation challenges Bertha's perception of Pearl as a mysterious but potentially reciprocating friend. Instead, it suggests that Pearl is a deceptive character who manipulates her friendship with Bertha, taking advantage of Bertha's admiration to get closer to her husband.
The contrast between Bertha's perception of Pearl and the reality of Pearl's actions adds complexity to the narrative. Mansfield uses Pearl's character to explore themes of deception, betrayal, and the gap between appearance and reality in relationships. The ambiguity surrounding Pearl contributes to the overall atmosphere of tension and surprise in the story.
Harry Young
In the summary provided, Harry, Bertha Young's husband in Katherine Mansfield's "Bliss," is depicted as a complex character with layers of deception and manipulation. On the surface, Harry appears to be a frank and daring individual who seemingly disregards societal norms and social decorum. His controversial sense of humor, particularly making irreverent jokes about Pearl Fulton, is admired by Bertha, who sees him as someone unafraid to push the boundaries of propriety.
Despite Bertha's apparent infatuation with Pearl, Harry claims that Pearl's beauty and mystery have nothing substantial behind them, describing it as mere "good stomach" or "pure flatulence." Bertha, in turn, admires Harry's irreverence. The narrative suggests that Harry is accepting of his relationship with Bertha, acknowledging that they are more like "good pals" than lovers, understanding Bertha's lack of sexual attraction towards him.
However, the story takes a turn towards the end when Bertha discovers that Harry is having an affair with Pearl. This revelation challenges the sincerity of Harry's behavior and calls into question the authenticity of his openness and amiability. It becomes apparent that much of Harry's conduct has been a façade to conceal his real emotions and actions. For instance, the offer of a cigar to Pearl is revealed to be accompanied by a genuine dislike for her.
The depiction of Harry as a manipulative individual who constructs a false external appearance to deceive Bertha adds layers of complexity to the narrative. Mansfield uses Harry's character to explore themes of deceit, hidden emotions, and the discrepancy between appearance and reality in relationships. The contrast between Bertha's perception of Harry and the truth revealed in the story contributes to the overall tension and irony within "Bliss."
Eddie Warren
Eddie Warren is portrayed as a neurotic and fashionable writer invited to Bertha Young's dinner party in Katherine Mansfield's "Bliss." Eddie's character is depicted as imaginative and easily alarmed, as seen in his encounter with a taxi driver, whom he envisions as a sinister, supernatural being transformed by the moonlight. His social interactions are marked by discomfort, maintaining an expression of "anguish" and displaying nervousness throughout the party.
As a playwright, Mansfield comically exaggerates Eddie's neuroses to suggest his artistic and highly-strung nature. Despite his fame within artistic circles, his artistic talent and depth of perception are called into question towards the end of the story. Eddie's assertion that the most profound sentence ever written is "Why must it always be tomato soup?" is presented as banal and meaningless. While Eddie perceives something "eternal" about this sentence, the reader sees it as ordinary and lacking profound meaning.
Mansfield uses Eddie Warren's character to highlight the contrast between public perception and reality. The attention and fame Eddie receives from the fashionable London public create an illusion of brilliance, but the mundane nature of his chosen profound sentence suggests that he may be an ordinary playwright with an exaggerated reputation. This mirrors the theme in the story, where appearances and social facades may not accurately reflect the true depth or significance of individuals and their contributions.
Mrs. Knight
Mrs. Knight is portrayed as one of the guests at Bertha Young's dinner party in Katherine Mansfield's "Bliss." She is introduced as the wife of Mr. Norman Knight and is presented as a bold and unconventional woman. Mrs. Knight makes a memorable entrance by criticizing the middle-class as "stodgy" and "utterly without a sense of humor." She shares a humorous anecdote about causing a scene on the train to the party by wearing an orange coat decorated with monkeys. Instead of feeling embarrassed by the attention, she responds defiantly, asking a woman if she had "never seen a monkey before," thereby drawing more attention to herself and her outfit.
Mrs. Knight's behavior suggests that she takes pride in being unconventional and slightly shocking, viewing herself as more enlightened or original than others in her social class. This aligns with Bertha's choice of "modern, thrilling friends" and reflects Mansfield's own experiences with bohemian socialites in London.
However, there is a subtle irony in Mrs. Knight's character. While Bertha claims that her friends are interested in "social questions," Mrs. Knight, as depicted in the summary, seems more concerned with aesthetics and external decoration. Her interest in "interior design" and her unconventionality being expressed through her outfit rather than her behavior may imply a superficial engagement with modern and progressive ideas. Mansfield uses Mrs. Knight's character to explore the contrast between appearance and substance, suggesting that even those who present themselves as unconventional may not necessarily engage deeply with social issues.
Mr. Norman Knight
Mr. Norman Knight is a guest at Bertha Young's dinner party in Katherine Mansfield's "Bliss." He is introduced as the husband of Mrs. Knight and is characterized as a man leading a conventional life. However, he exhibits a sense of irony and self-awareness regarding the clichés associated with middle-class conventions.
Mr. Knight's ironic references to middle-class norms, such as his attitude toward his daughter and her suitors, suggest that he satirizes himself and the societal expectations he embodies. Despite this ironic stance, his satire appears good-natured and non-disruptive. Like the other guests who are described as "modern and thrilling" but provide little evidence of such qualities, Mr. Knight does not engage in discussions related to "social questions" throughout the evening.
The only physical detail mentioned about Mr. Knight is the fact that he wears a monocle, keeping one of his eyes behind glass. This detail is symbolic, suggesting that Mr. Knight is a detached personality who doesn't become emotionally involved in causes or exhibits strong emotional responses to other people. The monocle serves as a visual metaphor for his emotional distance and perhaps his ability to maintain a certain level of detachment from the social and emotional dynamics of the gathering.
Overall, Mr. Knight's character contributes to the exploration of the contrast between appearance and substance in the story, highlighting the theme of individuals who may outwardly conform to societal expectations but maintain a level of irony and detachment from the conventions they embody.
Nurse
Nurse is an employee of Bertha Young and is responsible for caring for Bertha and Harry's young daughter, Little B, in Katherine Mansfield's "Bliss." Despite Little B not being her biological child, the Nurse shares a very close bond with the baby.
A notable aspect of the Nurse's character is her resentment toward Bertha's attempts to spend time with her own daughter. While Bertha genuinely wishes to bond with Little B, the Nurse perceives these efforts as interference. There seems to be a conflict between Bertha's maternal instincts and the Nurse's possessive attitude toward the child. The Nurse, in this context, may view the upper-class woman's desire to feed and spend time with her child as unconventional and improper, challenging the traditional roles and expectations associated with the caregiving relationship.
This dynamic adds a layer of tension to the portrayal of Bertha's domestic life, emphasizing the complexities and power dynamics within the household. Mansfield uses the Nurse's character to explore themes of class, maternal instincts, and societal expectations related to motherhood and childcare.
Little B
Little B is introduced as the infant daughter of the main characters, Harry and Bertha Young, in Katherine Mansfield's "Bliss." While the summary doesn't delve into specific details about Little B's character, her presence is significant in the narrative. Little B becomes a focal point around which the dynamics of the household, particularly in relation to the Nurse's possessiveness and Bertha's desire to bond with her child, unfold.
The mention of Bertha's genuine wish to spend time with Little B suggests a maternal instinct and a desire for a connection with her daughter. However, the Nurse's resentment and perception of Bertha's attempts as interference add a layer of tension to the relationship. Little B, as an infant, becomes a symbol of maternal bonds and societal expectations related to motherhood within the context of the story. The interactions and conflicts surrounding Little B contribute to the exploration of themes such as motherhood, class dynamics, and societal conventions in Mansfield's narrative.
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