Marxism "Miss Brill" Analysis

ENGL 220
20 February 2014
Marxism
“Miss Brill” written by Katherine Mansfield is a story written about an older, somewhat lonely woman. In the story, it quickly becomes clear to readers that character tries to see good in all things. The story begins by the speaker showing us how excited Miss Brill is about going to the park, people watching, and listen to the music play. Because of the new fall air, the character is able to get out her old fur coat she has been longing to wear. After she puts on the coat, she goes to the park where she feels to have significance. It is here where most symbols of Marxism are found in the short story. There are many different scenes in the story that use a form of Marxism. The first and maybe the most unusual symbol of Marxism I found was all the different types of people who were in the park. Typically one would think people of different economic statuses would be separated in stories to show contrasts between them. However, in this short story people of all statuses sit amongst each other to listen to the music. I found this to be a disconnection to reflectionism about how society is said to work in Marxism. Another figure of Marxism I found in the reading was the fight between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. In my opinion, when the story begins readers may mistake Miss Brill for someone of bourgeoisie status; not because of her attitude but because of her adorn fur coat. It is not until the young couple, who may be seen as bourgeoisie, humiliates her that we see she may be a part of the proletariat status because of her defeat. Readers may make this assumption because the couple teases Miss Brill about the quality of the coat. Although the speaker never gives us a clear explanation of what class Miss Brill belongs to, some may make the argument that she should belong to the proletariat class because it seems more logical due to the value of the coat. The contrast between status value and use value may also be pointed out in the story. Miss Brill enjoyed the fur because of the use she got from it and the feeling it gave her while she wore it. In contrast to Miss Brill, the young couple made fun of the coat simply because they only saw the low status value the coat was signifying. Lastly, this short story uses productionism as a symbol of Marxism. Marxism describes productionist as something that can be lead to change. It is evident that the attitude of Miss Brill has been diminished after the couple broke her happy spirit. It was made clear to readers that Miss Brill’s happiness was overthrown after she passed her favorite bakery and put the coat back in the box when she returned home. Although the character has not changed for the better, the speaker still uses productionism to tell the story. In conclusion, the writer uses many forms of Marxism throughout the story effectively. Although readers may want Miss Brill to end up happy, content, or somehow overcome the young couple we leave her seeming somewhat conquered.