This essay focuses on symbols of female sexuality throughout the short story "Bliss", written by Katherine Mansfield. It focuses mostly on how the pear tree in the story serves to represent Bertha Young's sexuality.
Table of Contents
1. The Pear Tree and Sexuality in Katherine Mansfield’s “Bliss”
Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines the symbolic function of the pear tree in Katherine Mansfield’s short story "Bliss," specifically focusing on how it mirrors the protagonist Bertha Young's developing and often repressed sexuality.
- Analysis of the pear tree as a symbol for Bertha's virginal nature.
- Exploration of botanical symbolism in relation to bisexual awakening.
- Discussion of Bertha’s sexual repression and social constraints.
- Evaluation of the moon as a counter-symbol for femininity and Pearl Fulton.
- Investigation into the cyclic nature of the protagonist’s emotional state.
Excerpt from the Book
The Pear Tree and Sexuality in Katherine Mansfield’s “Bliss”
Katherine Mansfield’s short story “Bliss” is filled with symbolism. One symbol in particular stands out and is very prominent throughout the story. That symbol is the pear tree in the main character’s garden. Bertha Young views the tree as a symbol of her own life and she unintentionally dresses like the pear tree by wearing “a white dress, a string of jade beads, green shoes and stockings” (Mansfield 100). These two matters kick-start the association of Bertha with the tree, but there are many ways in which the pear tree represents and is connected to Bertha. Therefore, the argument can be formed that the pear tree in Katherine Mansfield’s “Bliss” serves as the main symbol of Bertha Young’s sexuality throughout the story.
The pear tree represents Bertha and her sexuality in different ways. First of all, the pear tree represents Bertha and her virginal character. The pear tree’s botanical qualities stand for Bertha’s virginity, because it is described as being in full bloom but it “had not a single bud” (Mansfield 100). This indicates that the tree is not fertilized and therefore pure and untouched. Bertha herself is not a virgin in the technical sense, but her feelings, thoughts and actions indicate her virginal character. This is shown, among other things, by her childlike behaviour at the beginning of the story.
Summary of Chapters
1. The Pear Tree and Sexuality in Katherine Mansfield’s “Bliss”: This chapter analyzes how the pear tree acts as a central metaphor for Bertha Young's complex and repressed sexuality, contrasting her virginal state with her internal awakening and social constraints.
Keywords
Katherine Mansfield, Bliss, Bertha Young, Symbolism, Pear Tree, Sexuality, Virginity, Bisexuality, Repression, Literature, Pearl Fulton, Femininity, Botanical Symbolism, Literary Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the symbolic significance of the pear tree in Katherine Mansfield's "Bliss," arguing that it serves as a multifaceted representation of the protagonist's sexuality.
What are the central themes discussed in the analysis?
Key themes include virginal innocence versus sexual maturity, the impact of societal repression, the symbolic use of nature, and the complexity of female identity.
What is the main objective of the author?
The objective is to decode how specific symbols, such as the pear tree and the moon, illustrate Bertha Young’s psychological state and her struggle with unexpressed desires.
Which scientific methodology is applied here?
The author employs a literary analysis method, utilizing textual evidence and secondary scholarly sources to interpret symbolism within the narrative framework of the short story.
What specific aspects are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the tree’s botanical features, the association between the protagonist and her environment, and the comparative symbolism between the characters Bertha and Pearl.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
Significant keywords include symbolism, sexuality, virginal character, repression, and literary interpretation of Katherine Mansfield’s work.
How does the author interpret the significance of the moon in the story?
The author views the moon as a symbol of womanhood and femininity that creates a distance between Bertha and Pearl Fulton, highlighting their different life stages.
Does the situation of the protagonist change by the end of the narrative?
The author concludes that Bertha remains in a state of unresolved repression, as the symbolic pear tree at the end of the story reflects the same untouched, virginal state as at the beginning.
- Quote paper
- Ariane Dijckmeester (Author), 2015, The Pear Tree and Sexuality in Katherine Mansfield’s “Bliss”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/312265
