Comparing Ms. Brill And Eveline

Manfield's Ms. Brill and Joyce's Eveline: A Comparison of Two Protagonists
The two female characters in Manfield's and Joyce's stories have different personalities. Ms Brill could be said to have a personality disorder and exhibited distortions in the way she interpreted and thought about herself. On the other hand, Eveline was genuinely aware of the reality of her world but she almost chose a fantasy world where she would be a perfect wife to a perfect husband in a perfect world called Buenos Aires.
Almost a century ago, Katherine Mansfield wrote about Ms. Brill and her escape from reality every Sunday that she indulged herself in an interesting world that a public garden provided. Ms. Brill was depicted by Mansfield as a lonely, old teacher
whose dream of becoming a main character in a fantasy world that she created every Sunday was shattered by tactless remarks by a young couple in the public garden. Distorted sense of reality was the overall theme in the story, and the main protagonist was able to come to her senses after hearing the truth directly from the people whom she “watched and observed.” Ms. Brill saw herself as an accomplished person, a schoolteacher who enjoyed simple pleasures like indulging herself in pastries or almond-laced cakes. Subconsciously, however, she created a world of fantasy where she was a fur-attired actress who performed the opening in the Sunday show in the garden, with a song. Ms. Brill perception of reality was entirely different from how other people thought about her. She thought she was an epitome of a perfect citizen who did voluntary work and who helped school children learn. Others saw her as an eccentric person who was not even worthy of any love or attention. Ms. Brill thought that happiness meant living alone and being satisfied in a humble dwelling place where she lived. She later realized that her loneliness was evident in the cramped space where she hid herself for decades. Her favourite clothes were outdated and the pastry that she used to enjoy was meant to divert herself from the harsh reality of her sorrow and loneliness.
Sadly, the story was written a century ago but we can still find a lot of people who are in the same situation as Ms. In one survey, a descriptive analysis of lonely older Americans were examined. Over one-third or 35% of the respondents were grouped as lonely. Married respondents were less likely to be lonely compared to single respondents. Lonely respondents were less likely to be involved in activities that build social networks, such as attending religious services, volunteering, participating in a community organization or spending time on a hobby. (Sarah Stevenson, 20 Facts about Senior Isolation That Will Stun You).
In an era of modern ways of communication, it doesn’t make sense that people are lonely.
In the setting when Ms. Brill lived, it was understandable that Ms. Brill would be lonely because the means of communication was limited to face to face interactions or writing letters that took months to send and receive. The antidote to loneliness is sharing which is not the same thing as talking. If only Ms. Brill initiated conversation or sharing of thoughts with the young people who sat beside her, they would not have judged her. She was judged based on her appearance – an old woman who wore an outdated fur, simply because it was the natural way people judge other people. Dale Carnegie once said, “When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures bristling with prejudice and motivated by pride and vanity.” (Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People) “Loneliness has been linked to depression, anxiety, interpersonal hostility, increased vulnerability to health problems, and even to suicide.” (Liz renzetti, Life of solitude: A loneliness crisis is looming) Chronic can be blamed to an increasingly self-absorbed society, because economics dictates you should be concerned about your own interests so people tend to shy away from others, unless there’s a financial gain or profit. Loneliness is debilitating and may even hasten people to an early
grave.
On the other hand, Eveline was depicted by Joyce as a young, helpless character who had to bear the burden of family life responsibilities at age 19.
Eveline’s self-discovery was evident when she was forced to choose between staying with her family in Ireland or escaping with Frank to Argentina. Joyce described Eveline as a frightened, “helpless animal,” incapable of exploring “another life with Frank.” A closer look would reveal that Eveline was not really helpless but she was actually a very good decision-maker. At a very young age, she was able to decide on her own that family matters more than anything else in the world. She could meet several men in her life but she had only one family. One silly love affair could not replace her father, brothers, and sisters. It was a perfect decision that Eveline courageously chose and she should be applauded for that big decision. Decision-making is the overall theme of Joyce’s Eveline. The story ended with the female protagonist’ realization that Frank was just another stranger whom she just met and who might not be the right man for
her.
Eveline should be a role model to the youth nowadays. Several times we encounter young people who choose love over family or choose to elope instead of finishing their high school education. The lesson that was imparted by the strength of character displayed by Eveline is an eye opener to a lot of people who get distracted by infatuation. I have known a lot of young people whose lives are ruined by early marriage or adolescent pregnancies. Some of them regret their decisions and end up divorced or separated. On the other hand, young people who chose to become obedient sons and daughters and continued their journey though life with the support of their families, usually end up happier. This is the key to happiness- surround yourself with people who matters most in your life.