The Doll's House by Katherine Mansfield

Summary

• A doll's house is gifted to the Burnell family. It has a strong paint smell, which Aunt Beryl dislikes.
• The three Burnell sisters—Isabel, Lottie, and Kezia—love the house. Kezia's favourite part is a small lamp.
• Isabel, the eldest, decides which girls at school can see the doll's house, excluding Lil and Else Kelvey, the daughters of a poor washerwoman.
• The Kelvey sisters are outcasts; the village gossips about them, and they are mocked at school.
• Kezia, unlike her family, is kind-hearted. She invites the Kelveys to see the doll's house.
• Aunt Beryl scolds Kezia and chases the Kelveys away.
• Despite the humiliation, Else Kelvey smiles and says, "I seen the little lamp."

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Themes

Social Class and Prejudice

• The Burnells are wealthy, while the Kelveys are poor and shunned.
• Mrs Burnell instructs her children not to mix with the Kelveys.
• The doll's house symbolises the Burnells' class privilege—everyone is invited to see it except the Kelveys.

Hope (Change)

• Kezia represents hope—she sees the Kelveys as equals.
• Unlike her family, she is not prejudiced and invites them to see the house.
• The lamp symbolises warmth and kindness, noticed only by Kezia and Else Kelvey.

Poverty

• The Kelveys' mother is a washerwoman, and their father is in prison.
• Their clothes are made from old fabrics, and their food is wrapped in newspaper.
• Even the teachers treat them differently from other children.

Innocence and Cruelty

• The story highlights the prejudice children inherit from adults.
• The Burnells and other girls mock the Kelveys, imitating their parents' attitudes.
• Kezia's kindness defies social norms, showing innocence in contrast to the cruelty of others.

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Structure and Plot Development

• Exposition: The Burnells receive the doll's house and are excited to show it off.
• Rising Action: At school, Isabel brags about it, inviting everyone except the Kelveys.
• Climax: Kezia secretly invites the Kelveys to see the house.
• Falling Action: Aunt Beryl scolds Kezia and chases the Kelveys away.
• Resolution: Despite the humiliation, Else Kelvey finds hope in the little lamp.

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Characterisation

Kezia Burnell (Youngest Sister)

• Kind, independent, and thoughtful
• Defies social norms by inviting the Kelveys to see the doll's house.
• Values kindness over class prejudice.

Isabel Burnell (Oldest Sister)

• Bossy and controlling
• Chooses who gets to see the doll's house first.
• Snobbish, looks down on lower-class people.

Lil Kelvey (Older Kelvey Sister)

• Timid and self-conscious
• Stays silent in school and avoids attention.
• Initially refuses Kezia's invitation out of fear.

Else Kelvey (Younger Kelvey Sister)

• Quiet, mysterious, and observant
• Rarely speaks but communicates with gestures.
• Notices the little lamp, representing hope.

Aunt Beryl (Mrs Burnell's Sister)

• Snobbish and cruel
• Scolds Kezia harshly for showing kindness to the Kelveys.
• Represents society's harsh judgement of lower-class people.

Mrs Burnell

• Strict and prejudiced
• Loyal to social norms and expects her daughters to obey her.

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Literary Devices

Diction and Figurative Language

• Simile:
  • "Like a nightgown."
  • "Like two stray cats."
• Metaphor:
  • "She was a tiny wishbone."
  • "Burning with shame."

Symbolism

• The Doll's House: Social class division – the Burnells' wealth vs the Kelveys' poverty.
• The Lamp: Hope, warmth, and kindness – only Kezia and Else notice it.

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Tone and Mood

Tone:

• Harsh and scornful: When children mock the Kelveys.
• Hopeful: Kezia's kindness and the symbolism of the lamp.

Mood:

• Sad and unkind: Reflects social injustice.
• Optimistic: Kezia's actions suggest hope for change.

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Narrator's Point of View & Style

• Third-person omniscient – the narrator sees all perspectives.
• Simple and straightforward style for easy understanding.

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Exam Tip:

When answering questions on this story, focus on how prejudice, innocence, and hope are portrayed through the characters and symbols, especially the lamp.

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Final Thought:

The Doll's House highlights social inequality but also shows that kindness can break class barriers. Kezia's small act of defying social norms offers a glimmer of hope for a better future.