Due day before 2/6 10pm.

By reading MISS BRILL1920

 

1. Find three quotes in the story that are examples of characterization (revealing traits). Remember that character traits are long-lasting, like “Shy,” or “Friendly,” but not moods like “Sad,” or “Angry.” Your three quotes can come from the same story or different stories and you may use more than one quote for the same character, or all of your quotes can be about different characters.
2. See the examples on the attachments as guides and then include three quotes of your own.

Although it was so brilliantly fine
light like white wine splashed over the Jardins Publiques
had decided on her fur. The air was motionless, but when you ope
was just a faint chill, like a chill from a glass of iced water before you sip, and now and
again a leaf came drifting
touched her fur. Dear little thing! It was nice to feel i
box that afternoon, shaken out the moth
life back into the dim little eyes. “What has been happening to me?” said the sad little
eyes. Oh, how sweet it was to see them snap
the nose, which was of some black composition, wasn’t at all firm. It must have had a
knock, somehow. Never mind
when it was absolutely necessary… Little rog

Little rogue biting its tail just by her left ear. She could have taken it off and laid it on her
lap and stroked it. She felt a tingling in her hands and arms, but that came from walking,

she supposed. And when
something gentle seemed to move in her bosom.

There were a number of people out this afternoon, far more than last Sunday. And the
band sounded louder and gayer. That was because the Season had b

the band played all the year round on Sundays, out of season it was never the same. It
was like some one playing with only the family to listen; it didn’t care how it played if

there weren’t any strangers present. Wasn’t the conductor we
was sure it was new. He scraped with his foot and flapped his arms like a rooster about to
crow, and the bandsmen sitting in the green rotunda blew out their cheeks and glared at
the music. Now there came a little “flutey” bit
drops. She was sure it would be repeated. It was; she lifted her head and smiled.

Only two people shared her “special” seat: a fine old man in a velvet coat, his hands
clasped over a huge carved walking

roll of knitting on her embroidered apron. They did not speak. This was disappointing, for
Miss Brill always looked forward to the conversation. She had become really quite

expert, she thought, at listening as though she
lives just for a minute while they talked round her.

She glanced, sideways, at the old couple. Perhaps they would go soon. Last Sunday, too,
hadn’t been as interesting as usual. An Englishman and his wife, he w
Panama hat and she button boots. And she’d gone on the whole time about how she ought
to wear spectacles; she knew she needed them; but that it was no good getting any; they’d
be sure to break and they’d never keep on. And he’d been so pa
everything—

gold rims, the kind that curved round your ears, little pads inside the bridge.

Welcome

MISS BRILL (1920)

By Katherine Mansfield

Although it was so brilliantly fine—the blue sky powdered with gold and great spots of
light like white wine splashed over the Jardins Publiques—Miss Brill was glad that she
had decided on her fur. The air was motionless, but when you ope

ned your mouth there
was just a faint chill, like a chill from a glass of iced water before you sip, and now and

again a leaf came drifting—from nowhere, from the sky. Miss Brill put up her hand and
touched her fur. Dear little thing! It was nice to feel it again. She had taken it out of its
box that afternoon, shaken out the moth-

powder, given it a good brush, and rubbed the
life back into the dim little eyes. “What has been happening to me?” said the sad little

eyes. Oh, how sweet it was to see them snap

at her again from the red eiderdown!… But
the nose, which was of some black composition, wasn’t at all firm. It must have had a

knock, somehow. Never mind—a little dab of black sealing-wax when the time came
when it was absolutely necessary… Little rogue! Yes, she really felt like that about it.
Little rogue biting its tail just by her left ear. She could have taken it off and laid it on her
lap and stroked it. She felt a tingling in her hands and arms, but that came from walking,

she breathed, something light and sad—no, not sad, exactly
something gentle seemed to move in her bosom.

There were a number of people out this afternoon, far more than last Sunday. And the
band sounded louder and gayer. That was because the Season had begun. For although
the band played all the year round on Sundays, out of season it was never the same. It
was like some one playing with only the family to listen; it didn’t care how it played if
there weren’t any strangers present. Wasn’t the conductor we

aring a new coat, too? She
was sure it was new. He scraped with his foot and flapped his arms like a rooster about to
crow, and the bandsmen sitting in the green rotunda blew out their cheeks and glared at

the music. Now there came a little “flutey” bit—very pretty!—a little chain of bright
drops. She was sure it would be repeated. It was; she lifted her head and smiled.

Only two people shared her “special” seat: a fine old man in a velvet coat, his hands
clasped over a huge carved walking-stick, and a big old woman, sitting upright, with a
roll of knitting on her embroidered apron. They did not speak. This was disappointing, for
Miss Brill always looked forward to the conversation. She had become really quite
expert, she thought, at listening as though she

didn’t listen, at sitting in other people’s

lives just for a minute while they talked round her.

She glanced, sideways, at the old couple. Perhaps they would go soon. Last Sunday, too,
hadn’t been as interesting as usual. An Englishman and his wife, he w
Panama hat and she button boots. And she’d gone on the whole time about how she ought
to wear spectacles; she knew she needed them; but that it was no good getting any; they’d
be sure to break and they’d never keep on. And he’d been so patient. He’d suggested

gold rims, the kind that curved round your ears, little pads inside the bridge.

1

the blue sky powdered with gold and great spots of
Miss Brill was glad that she

ned your mouth there
was just a faint chill, like a chill from a glass of iced water before you sip, and now and

from nowhere, from the sky. Miss Brill put up her hand and
t again. She had taken it out of its

powder, given it a good brush, and rubbed the
life back into the dim little eyes. “What has been happening to me?” said the sad little
at her again from the red eiderdown!… But
the nose, which was of some black composition, wasn’t at all firm. It must have had a

wax when the time came—
ue! Yes, she really felt like that about it.

Little rogue biting its tail just by her left ear. She could have taken it off and laid it on her
lap and stroked it. She felt a tingling in her hands and arms, but that came from walking,

no, not sad, exactly—

There were a number of people out this afternoon, far more than last Sunday. And the
egun. For although

the band played all the year round on Sundays, out of season it was never the same. It
was like some one playing with only the family to listen; it didn’t care how it played if
aring a new coat, too? She
was sure it was new. He scraped with his foot and flapped his arms like a rooster about to
crow, and the bandsmen sitting in the green rotunda blew out their cheeks and glared at

a little chain of bright
drops. She was sure it would be repeated. It was; she lifted her head and smiled.

Only two people shared her “special” seat: a fine old man in a velvet coat, his hands
old woman, sitting upright, with a

roll of knitting on her embroidered apron. They did not speak. This was disappointing, for
Miss Brill always looked forward to the conversation. She had become really quite
didn’t listen, at sitting in other people’s

She glanced, sideways, at the old couple. Perhaps they would go soon. Last Sunday, too,
hadn’t been as interesting as usual. An Englishman and his wife, he wearing a dreadful
Panama hat and she button boots. And she’d gone on the whole time about how she ought
to wear spectacles; she knew she needed them; but that it was no good getting any; they’d

tient. He’d suggested
gold rims, the kind that curved round your ears, little pads inside the bridge.

No, nothing would please her. “They’ll always be sliding down my nose!” Miss Brill had

wanted to shake her.

The old people sat on the bench, s
to watch. To and fro, in front of the flower
groups paraded, stopped to talk, to greet, to buy a handful of flowers from the old beggar
who had his tray fixe

d to the railings. Little children ran among them, swooping and

laughing; little boys with big white silk bows under their chins, little girls, little French
dolls, dressed up in velvet and lace. And sometimes a tiny staggerer came suddenly

rocking into the open from under the trees, stopped, stared, as suddenly sat down “flop,”
until its small high-stepping mother, like a young hen, rushed scolding to its rescue. Other
people sat on the benches and green chairs, but they were nearly always the same, Sunday
after Sunday, and—Miss Brill had often noticed
nearly all of them. They were odd, silent, nearly all old, and from the way they stared
they looked as though they’d just come from dark little rooms or even

Behind the rotunda the slender trees with yellow leaves down drooping, and through
them just a line of sea, and beyond the blue sky with gold

Tum-tum-tum tiddle-um! tiddle

Two young girls in red cam
laughed and paired and went off arm
passed, gravely, leading beautiful smoke
A beautiful woman came along
after to hand them to her, and she took them and threw them away as if they’d been
poisoned. Dear me! Miss Brill didn’t know whether to admire that or not! And now an
ermine toque and a gentleman in gr
and she was wearing the ermine toque she’d bought when her hair was yellow. Now
everything, her hair, her face, even her eyes, was the same colour as the shabby ermine,
and her hand, in its cleane
she was so pleased to see him
that afternoon. She described where she’d been
sea. The day was so char

shook his head, lighted a cigarette, slowly breathed a great deep puff into her face, and
even while she was still talking and laughing, flicked the match away and walked on. The

ermine toque was al

one; she smiled more brightly than ever. But even the band seemed to
know what she was feeling and played more softly, played tenderly, and the drum beat,
“The Brute! The Brute!” over and over. What would she do? What was going to happen

now? But as Miss B

rill wondered, the ermine toque turned, raised her hand as though
she’d seen some one else, much nicer, just over there, and pattered away. And the band
changed again and played more quickly, more gayly than ever, and the old couple on

Miss Brill’s seat go

t up and marched away, and such a funny old man with long whiskers
hobbled along in time to the music and was nearly knocked over by four girls walking

abreast.

Oh, how fascinating it was! How she enjoyed it! How she loved sitting here, watching it
all! It was like a play. It was exactly like a play. Who could believe the sky at the back

wasn’t painted? But it wasn’t till a little brown dog trotted on solemn and then slowly
trotted off, like a little “theatre” dog, a little dog that had been drugged, that

Welcome

No, nothing would please her. “They’ll always be sliding down my nose!” Miss Brill had

The old people sat on the bench, still as statues. Never mind, there was always the crowd
to watch. To and fro, in front of the flower-beds and the band rotunda, the couples and
groups paraded, stopped to talk, to greet, to buy a handful of flowers from the old beggar

d to the railings. Little children ran among them, swooping and
laughing; little boys with big white silk bows under their chins, little girls, little French
dolls, dressed up in velvet and lace. And sometimes a tiny staggerer came suddenly

e open from under the trees, stopped, stared, as suddenly sat down “flop,”
stepping mother, like a young hen, rushed scolding to its rescue. Other

people sat on the benches and green chairs, but they were nearly always the same, Sunday
Miss Brill had often noticed—there was something funny about

nearly all of them. They were odd, silent, nearly all old, and from the way they stared
they looked as though they’d just come from dark little rooms or even—

ehind the rotunda the slender trees with yellow leaves down drooping, and through
them just a line of sea, and beyond the blue sky with gold-veined clouds.

um! tiddle-um! tum tiddley-um tum ta! blew the band.

Two young girls in red came by and two young soldiers in blue met them, and they
laughed and paired and went off arm-in-arm. Two peasant women with funny straw hats
passed, gravely, leading beautiful smoke-coloured donkeys. A cold, pale nun hurried by.
A beautiful woman came along

and dropped her bunch of violets, and a little boy ran
after to hand them to her, and she took them and threw them away as if they’d been
poisoned. Dear me! Miss Brill didn’t know whether to admire that or not! And now an

ermine toque and a gentleman in gr

ey met just in front of her. He was tall, stiff, dignified,
and she was wearing the ermine toque she’d bought when her hair was yellow. Now
everything, her hair, her face, even her eyes, was the same colour as the shabby ermine,

and her hand, in its cleaned glove, lifted to dab her lips, was a tiny yellowish paw. Oh,
she was so pleased to see him—delighted! She rather thought they were going to meet
that afternoon. She described where she’d been—everywhere, here, there, along by the
sea. The day was so charming—didn’t he agree? And wouldn’t he, perhaps?… But he
shook his head, lighted a cigarette, slowly breathed a great deep puff into her face, and
even while she was still talking and laughing, flicked the match away and walked on. The

one; she smiled more brightly than ever. But even the band seemed to
know what she was feeling and played more softly, played tenderly, and the drum beat,
“The Brute! The Brute!” over and over. What would she do? What was going to happen
rill wondered, the ermine toque turned, raised her hand as though
she’d seen some one else, much nicer, just over there, and pattered away. And the band
changed again and played more quickly, more gayly than ever, and the old couple on
t up and marched away, and such a funny old man with long whiskers
hobbled along in time to the music and was nearly knocked over by four girls walking

Oh, how fascinating it was! How she enjoyed it! How she loved sitting here, watching it
t was like a play. It was exactly like a play. Who could believe the sky at the back

wasn’t painted? But it wasn’t till a little brown dog trotted on solemn and then slowly
trotted off, like a little “theatre” dog, a little dog that had been drugged, that

2

No, nothing would please her. “They’ll always be sliding down my nose!” Miss Brill had

till as statues. Never mind, there was always the crowd
beds and the band rotunda, the couples and

groups paraded, stopped to talk, to greet, to buy a handful of flowers from the old beggar
d to the railings. Little children ran among them, swooping and

laughing; little boys with big white silk bows under their chins, little girls, little French
dolls, dressed up in velvet and lace. And sometimes a tiny staggerer came suddenly
e open from under the trees, stopped, stared, as suddenly sat down “flop,”
stepping mother, like a young hen, rushed scolding to its rescue. Other

people sat on the benches and green chairs, but they were nearly always the same, Sunday
there was something funny about

nearly all of them. They were odd, silent, nearly all old, and from the way they stared
—even cupboards!

ehind the rotunda the slender trees with yellow leaves down drooping, and through
veined clouds.

um tum ta! blew the band.

e by and two young soldiers in blue met them, and they
arm. Two peasant women with funny straw hats
coloured donkeys. A cold, pale nun hurried by.

and dropped her bunch of violets, and a little boy ran
after to hand them to her, and she took them and threw them away as if they’d been
poisoned. Dear me! Miss Brill didn’t know whether to admire that or not! And now an
ey met just in front of her. He was tall, stiff, dignified,
and she was wearing the ermine toque she’d bought when her hair was yellow. Now
everything, her hair, her face, even her eyes, was the same colour as the shabby ermine,

d glove, lifted to dab her lips, was a tiny yellowish paw. Oh,
delighted! She rather thought they were going to meet

everywhere, here, there, along by the
didn’t he agree? And wouldn’t he, perhaps?… But he

shook his head, lighted a cigarette, slowly breathed a great deep puff into her face, and
even while she was still talking and laughing, flicked the match away and walked on. The
one; she smiled more brightly than ever. But even the band seemed to
know what she was feeling and played more softly, played tenderly, and the drum beat,
“The Brute! The Brute!” over and over. What would she do? What was going to happen
rill wondered, the ermine toque turned, raised her hand as though
she’d seen some one else, much nicer, just over there, and pattered away. And the band
changed again and played more quickly, more gayly than ever, and the old couple on
t up and marched away, and such a funny old man with long whiskers
hobbled along in time to the music and was nearly knocked over by four girls walking
Oh, how fascinating it was! How she enjoyed it! How she loved sitting here, watching it
t was like a play. It was exactly like a play. Who could believe the sky at the back

wasn’t painted? But it wasn’t till a little brown dog trotted on solemn and then slowly
trotted off, like a little “theatre” dog, a little dog that had been drugged, that Miss Brill

discovered what it was that made it so exciting. They were all on the stage. They weren’t
only the audience, not only looking on; they were acting. Even she had a part and came
every Sunday. No doubt somebody would have noticed if she hadn’t bee
part of the performance after all. How strange she’d never thought of it like that before!
And yet it explained why she made such a point of starting from home at just the same

time each week—so as not to be late for the performance
had quite a queer, shy feeling at telling her English pupils how she spent her Sunday
afternoons. No wonder! Miss Brill nearly laughed out loud. She was on the stage. She
thought of the old invalid gentleman to whom she read the new
week while he slept in the garden. She had got quite used to the frail head on the cotton
pillow, the hollowed eyes, the open mouth and the high pinched nose. If he’d been dead
she mightn’t have noticed for weeks; she wouldn’t have
was having the paper read to him by an actress! “An actress!” The old head lifted; two
points of light quivered in the old eyes. “An actress
the newspaper as though it were the manuscript of
been an actress for a long time.”

The band had been having a rest. Now they started again. And what they played was
warm, sunny, yet there was just a faint chill
no, not sadness—

a something that made you want to sing. The tune lifted, lifted, the light
shone; and it seemed to Miss Brill that in another moment all of them, all the whole
company, would begin singing. The young ones, the laughing ones who were moving

together, they would begin, and the men’s voices, very resolute and brave, would join
them. And then she too, she too, and the others on the benches
a kind of accompaniment
beautiful—moving… And Miss Brill’s eyes filled with tears and she looked smiling at all
the other members of the company. Yes, we understand, we understand, she thought
though what they understood she didn’t know.

Just at that moment a boy and girl came and sat down wher
They were beautifully dressed; they were in love. The hero and heroine, of course, just
arrived from his father’s yacht. And still soundlessly singing, still with that trembling
smile, Miss Brill prepared to listen.

“No, not now,” said the girl. “Not here, I can’t.”

“But why? Because of that stupid old thing at the end there?” asked the boy. “Why does
she come here at all—who wants her? Why doesn’t she keep her silly old mug at home?”

“It’s her fu-ur which is so funny,” giggled

“Ah, be off with you!” said the boy in an angry whisper. Then: “Tell me, ma petite

chere—”

“No, not here,” said the girl. “Not

On her way home she usually bought a slice of honey
Sunday treat. Sometimes there was an almond in her slice, sometimes not. It made a great
difference. If there was an almond it was like carrying home a tiny present

Welcome

discovered what it was that made it so exciting. They were all on the stage. They weren’t
only the audience, not only looking on; they were acting. Even she had a part and came
every Sunday. No doubt somebody would have noticed if she hadn’t bee
part of the performance after all. How strange she’d never thought of it like that before!
And yet it explained why she made such a point of starting from home at just the same

so as not to be late for the performance—and it

also explained why she
had quite a queer, shy feeling at telling her English pupils how she spent her Sunday
afternoons. No wonder! Miss Brill nearly laughed out loud. She was on the stage. She

thought of the old invalid gentleman to whom she read the new

spaper four afternoons a
week while he slept in the garden. She had got quite used to the frail head on the cotton
pillow, the hollowed eyes, the open mouth and the high pinched nose. If he’d been dead

she mightn’t have noticed for weeks; she wouldn’t have

minded. But suddenly he knew he
was having the paper read to him by an actress! “An actress!” The old head lifted; two

points of light quivered in the old eyes. “An actress—are ye?” And Miss Brill smoothed
the newspaper as though it were the manuscript of her part and said gently; “Yes, I have
been an actress for a long time.”

The band had been having a rest. Now they started again. And what they played was
warm, sunny, yet there was just a faint chill—a something, what was it?

a something that made you want to sing. The tune lifted, lifted, the light
shone; and it seemed to Miss Brill that in another moment all of them, all the whole
company, would begin singing. The young ones, the laughing ones who were moving

would begin, and the men’s voices, very resolute and brave, would join
them. And then she too, she too, and the others on the benches—they would come in with
a kind of accompaniment—something low, that scarcely rose or fell, something so

. And Miss Brill’s eyes filled with tears and she looked smiling at all
the other members of the company. Yes, we understand, we understand, she thought
though what they understood she didn’t know.

Just at that moment a boy and girl came and sat down wher

e the old couple had been.
They were beautifully dressed; they were in love. The hero and heroine, of course, just
arrived from his father’s yacht. And still soundlessly singing, still with that trembling

smile, Miss Brill prepared to listen.

,” said the girl. “Not here, I can’t.”

“But why? Because of that stupid old thing at the end there?” asked the boy. “Why does
who wants her? Why doesn’t she keep her silly old mug at home?”

ur which is so funny,” giggled the girl. “It’s exactly like a fried whiting.”

“Ah, be off with you!” said the boy in an angry whisper. Then: “Tell me, ma petite

“No, not here,” said the girl. “Not yet.”

On her way home she usually bought a slice of honey-cake at the baker’
Sunday treat. Sometimes there was an almond in her slice, sometimes not. It made a great
difference. If there was an almond it was like carrying home a tiny present

3

discovered what it was that made it so exciting. They were all on the stage. They weren’t
only the audience, not only looking on; they were acting. Even she had a part and came
every Sunday. No doubt somebody would have noticed if she hadn’t been there; she was
part of the performance after all. How strange she’d never thought of it like that before!
And yet it explained why she made such a point of starting from home at just the same

also explained why she
had quite a queer, shy feeling at telling her English pupils how she spent her Sunday
afternoons. No wonder! Miss Brill nearly laughed out loud. She was on the stage. She
spaper four afternoons a
week while he slept in the garden. She had got quite used to the frail head on the cotton
pillow, the hollowed eyes, the open mouth and the high pinched nose. If he’d been dead
minded. But suddenly he knew he
was having the paper read to him by an actress! “An actress!” The old head lifted; two

are ye?” And Miss Brill smoothed
her part and said gently; “Yes, I have

The band had been having a rest. Now they started again. And what they played was
a something, what was it?—not sadness—

a something that made you want to sing. The tune lifted, lifted, the light
shone; and it seemed to Miss Brill that in another moment all of them, all the whole
company, would begin singing. The young ones, the laughing ones who were moving

would begin, and the men’s voices, very resolute and brave, would join
they would come in with

something low, that scarcely rose or fell, something so
. And Miss Brill’s eyes filled with tears and she looked smiling at all

the other members of the company. Yes, we understand, we understand, she thought—

e the old couple had been.
They were beautifully dressed; they were in love. The hero and heroine, of course, just
arrived from his father’s yacht. And still soundlessly singing, still with that trembling

“But why? Because of that stupid old thing at the end there?” asked the boy. “Why does
who wants her? Why doesn’t she keep her silly old mug at home?”

the girl. “It’s exactly like a fried whiting.”

“Ah, be off with you!” said the boy in an angry whisper. Then: “Tell me, ma petite

cake at the baker’s. It was her
Sunday treat. Sometimes there was an almond in her slice, sometimes not. It made a great
difference. If there was an almond it was like carrying home a tiny present—a surprise—

something that might very well not have been there. She hurried on
and struck the match for the kettle in quite a dashing way.

But to-day she passed the baker’s by, climbed the stairs, went into the little dark room
her room like a cupboard—
t

ime. The box that the fur came out of was on the bed. She unclasped the necklet quickly;
quickly, without looking, laid it inside. But when she put the lid on she thought she heard

something crying.

Welcome

something that might very well not have been there. She hurried on

the almond Sundays

and struck the match for the kettle in quite a dashing way.

day she passed the baker’s by, climbed the stairs, went into the little dark room
—and sat down on the red eiderdown. She sat there for a long

ime. The box that the fur came out of was on the bed. She unclasped the necklet quickly;
quickly, without looking, laid it inside. But when she put the lid on she thought she heard

4

the almond Sundays

day she passed the baker’s by, climbed the stairs, went into the little dark room—
and sat down on the red eiderdown. She sat there for a long

ime. The box that the fur came out of was on the bed. She unclasped the necklet quickly;
quickly, without looking, laid it inside. But when she put the lid on she thought she heard

Choose a dynamic character from a story in this week’s lesson. Find three quotes in the story that are examples of characterization (revealing traits). Remember that character traits are long-lasting, like “Shy,” or “Friendly,” but not moods like “Sad,” or “Angry.” Your three quotes can come from the same story or different stories and you may use more than one quote for the same character, or all of your quotes can be about different characters.

See the examples below as guides and then include three quotes of your own. You will type on this document (or the alternate document), save it, and submit it to assignment space in the lesson.

Story Title

Character Name

Character Trait

Quote & Page #

Explanation of how quote shows trait (2-3 sentences for each)

Type of characterization

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”

Connie

Vain

“She had a quick nervous giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people’s faces to make sure her own was all right.” P. 205

She makes a habit of looking into mirrors, showing that one of her primary interests is her appearance. Being almost obsessed with appearances reveals that Connie is vain.

Indirect; Narration

“A Good Man is Hard to Find”

Grandmother

Selfish

“She didn’t intend for the cat to be left alone in the house for three days because he would miss her too much…” p. 494

Even though her son does not want to travel with the car, and no one else in the family is aware that the cat is there, she brings the cat with her and hides it in her luggage, showing her disregard for others’ wishes.

Indirect; Narration
“A Good Man is Hard to Find”

June Star

Bratty

“I wouldn’t live in a broken-down place like this for a million bucks!” p. 495

June Star is judgmental and critical of another person’s home, showing a bratty attitude.

Indirect; Dialogue