Bliss
Bliss
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Bliss
maintain their position in society. They were not free to work,
INTR
INTRODUCTION
ODUCTION openly discuss their emotions, nurse their own children, or
have relationships outside of marriage, as these behaviors
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD would be viewed as improper. “Bliss” also deals with the
Katherine Mansfield Beauchamp was born into a wealthy, well repression of homosexuality in Britain in this period.
respected family in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1888. Homosexuality was illegal in England until 1967, and gay
Mansfield had two older sisters as well as a younger brother, people still faced discrimination throughout the twentieth
with whom she was particularly close. In 1893 the family century. “Bliss” was also written in the final year of World War
moved to the countryside. Mansfield was extremely happy in 1, which had an extremely traumatic effect on Europe, and
rural New Zealand and drew upon her childhood memories in which paved the way for Modernist literary and artistic
later stories such as “Prelude.” Mansfield wrote fiction from a movements since people felt that, in the aftermath of such a
young age, publishing short stories in her school newspaper huge, unprecedented war, society must become very different
and later in a New Zealand literary journal. Mansfield moved to and work to create something new.
London, England, in 1903 and attended Queens College. She
travelled Europe from 1903 to 1906 before returning to New RELATED LITERARY WORKS
Zealand, where she began working on short stories and
published work in an Australian journal called Native With its descriptions of upper middle-class life in the early
Companion. Mansfield returned to London in 1908, missing the twentieth century, “Bliss” is very similar to the work of Virginia
cosmopolitan life of the city and the vibrant, European literary Woolf. Woolf, a friend of Mansfield, was also a Modernist writer
scene. Mansfield had relationships with both men and women working in London during this period. “Bliss” is similar to
throughout her life and was married twice. She left her first Woolf’s 1925 novel Mrs Dalloway: both focus on women’s
husband, George Bowden, on the night of their interior lives and center around a woman who is throwing a
wedding—possibly because of a lesbian relationship with the party at which she hopes something life affirming will take
South African writer, Ida Baker, whom Mansfield had known place. Their interest in Modernism and the visual arts
since college. Mansfield later married John Middleton Murray, (particularly modern styles like Fauvism and the work of the
the editor of the literary journal Rhythm, which Mansfield French Impressionists) leads to a focus on aesthetics and
contributed to. Their marriage was very volatile and they external appearances in their stories. These aspects help
separated in 1917; Mansfield spent the rest of her life in the represent the inner lives of their characters. Mansfield was also
company of Ida Baker. Mansfield was deeply affected by the influenced by the French Symbolist poets, such as Arthur
death of her brother, who died in 1915 in World War I. Rimbaud, and this is evident in her use of strong visual images
Mansfield was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1917 and throughout her stories. The observations of people and social
travelled to France for her health. During her stay in a hotel in situations, and use of humor in “Bliss,” are further reminiscent
Bandol, she wrote several of her most well-known stories, of the works of nineteenth century playwright Oscar Wilde.
including “Bliss.” She died from tuberculosis in 1923, and many Wilde, who was gay, also addresses the repression of
of her stories were published after her death by her ex- homosexuality in British society in his poem “The Ballad of
husband, Murray. Reading Gaol,” which Wilde wrote while in prison accused of
sexual deviance. Homosexuality is a recurring theme in many
novels from this period in British literature, including The Well
HISTORICAL CONTEXT of Loneliness by Rydcliffe Hall and Maurice by E. M. Forster. The
“Bliss” reflects social attitudes towards homosexuality and theme of women’s roles in society, which were changing in early
towards women in early twentieth century Britain. In 1918, twentieth century in Britain, is also reflected in works by Woolf,
when “Bliss” was written, most women in Britain could not vote, such as her essay collection A Room of One's Own. In its
although in 1918 a law was passed granting wealthy women description social situations and misunderstandings, “Bliss” is
over thirty the right to do so. British society in this period was also similar to the novels of Jane Austen as well as nineteenth
still heavily governed by social etiquette and the rules of century “novels of manners,” such as those by Edith Wharton or
propriety, which looked down upon expressions of emotion as Henry James.
well as open discussions of sex or anything to do with the body,
and which was bound up in strict rules about class and
KEY FACTS
behavior. As a result, middle and upper-class women, like
Bertha, were expected to behave in certain prescribed ways to • Full Title: Bliss
Women’s Rights. Although Mansfield was not involved in the After feeding her daughter, Bertha thinks about the guests that
Suffragette movement, which was active in Britain when she has invited to her party. She has invited Mr. Knight and Mrs.
Mansfield was staying there, she was aware of its efforts to win Knight, who are interested in theatre and interior design, a
women the right to vote, work, and have equal rights. In fashionable writer called Eddie Warren, and a “find” of Bertha’s
Mansfield’s home country, New Zealand, women had had the called Pearl Fulton, whom Bertha has “fallen in love with, as she
right to vote since 1893. It was one of the first countries to always did fall in love with beautiful women who had something
grant women this right. strange about them.” Bertha thinks that she would like to get to
know Pearl, but that Pearl is reserved and will not let people in
beyond a certain point. Bertha wonders if there is anything
Relations with the Māori people. While Mansfield had been
more to Pearl’s character. Her husband Harry has said that he
happy growing up in New Zealand, as a young adult she became
does not think so and has joked that there is nothing but “a
depressed and disillusioned by the racist attitudes shown by
good stomach” behind Pearl’s mysterious façade. Bertha likes
white settlers towards the native Māori people. She includes
Harry’s jokes and thinks fondly about how she admires this
Māori characters in some of her later fiction, such as the short
quality in her husband. While Bertha is putting the finishing
story “How Pearl Button was Kidnapped.” On her return to
touches to the drawing room, she is surprised to find herself
New Zealand after college, Mansfield also had a romantic
passionately hugging one of the sofa cushions that she is
relationship with a Māori woman, Maata Mahupuku.
arranging.
Bertha looks out of the window at her garden and admires the
PL
PLO
OT SUMMARY pear tree, which is glowing white under the moon. She thinks
that the beautiful tree is a “symbol of her own life” and notes
Thirty-year old Bertha Young is overcome by a feeling of that the colors of the sky and tree match her outfit for the
excitement, or “bliss,” while preparing to throw a dinner party evening, even though she hasn’t planned this. She turns away
for a group of her friends. Returning home in the afternoon from the window when she sees two cats crossing the lawn and
before the party, Bertha thinks that, although she is an adult the sight of them give her a shudder. She is almost overcome by
woman, she still has moments where she wants to “run instead happiness thinking about her life and is only roused from this
of walk” or “take dancing steps” to express the great sense of state by the arrival of the Knights. Mrs. Knight tells Bertha that
joy that she is feeling. Bertha realizes that there is “no way” she her colorful dress made people stare at her on the train. Eddie
can behave like this without being seen as “drunk and Warren then arrives and complains that his taxi driver was
disorderly” and feels frustrated by this. Entering her house, “most sinister” and that, in the moonlight, this driver seemed to
Bertha asks her maid if the fruit she has ordered for the party have something “timeless” about him. Harry arrives late, and
has arrived on time. The maid tells her that it has, and Bertha Bertha is so delighted with her guests that she almost forgets
says that she will go and arrange it before the guests arrive. that Pearl Fulton has not yet arrived.
Once in the dining room, Bertha throws off her coat and looks Finally, Pearl arrives, and the guests sit down to eat. Over
at herself in the mirror, realizing that the feeling of “bliss” is still dinner they discuss the theatre, as Eddie Warren and Norman
there and that it is growing stronger as the evening Knight intend to write a play. Bertha thinks what a “decorative
approaches. She feels as though she is waiting for something group” her guests make and feels almost overcome with
“divine” to happen. Bertha arranges the fruit on the dining room tenderness for them. She is still thinking about the pear tree,
table, thinking about how she has chosen certain fruits in which she thinks will have turned silver in the moonlight, like
certain colors to match the décor of the room. Although she Pearl, who is dressed completely in silver. Looking at Pearl,
MOONLIGHT
Moonlight represents transformation and illusion QUO
QUOTES
TES
in the story. Bertha sees the moon rising when she
is looking out at the pear tree before the dinner party and Note: all page numbers for the quotes below refer to the
associates this with the transformative potential of the evening, Vintage edition of Stories published in 1991.
which she believes will bring about some change in her life and
lead to the fulfilment of her hidden desire for Pearl Fulton. The Bliss Quotes
moon continues to have a transformative effect over the Although Bertha Young was thirty she still had moments
evening: when Eddie Warren arrives, he complains that the like this when she wanted to run instead of walk, to take
moonlight has made his socks whiter and transformed his taxi dancing steps on and off the pavement, to bowl a hoop, to
driver into a “sinister” and “timeless” figure whom Eddie was throw something up in the air and catch it again, or to stand still
afraid would kidnap him in an “eternal taxi.” Pearl is also and laugh at—nothing—at nothing, simply. What can you do if
associated with the moon: dressed all in silver, she has a pearl- you are thirty and, turning the corner of your own street, you
like appearance reflective of her name and similar to the white are overcome, suddenly, by a feeling of bliss—absolute
glow of the moon. This represents the idea that Pearl herself bliss!—as though you'd suddenly swallowed a bright piece of
has had a transformative effect upon Bertha’s life, just as the that late afternoon sun and it burned in your bosom, sending
moon has transformed the night outside and made ordinary out a little shower of sparks into every particle, into every
things seem mysterious and extraordinary. It is Pearl’s presence finger and toe.
which is responsible for Bertha’s feeling of “bliss,” which has
transformed the world around her and made her feel “tender”
towards everything and everyone. However, just as the Related Characters: Bertha Young
moonlight has had an artificial effect upon the appearance of
the taxi driver and made him appear like an “eternal” creature, Related Themes:
Pearl’s affinity with how Bertha feels also proves to be an
Page Number: 143
illusion. It is revealed that Pearl is, in fact, having an affair with
Bertha’s husband Harry. As such, it is likely that her friendliness Explanation and Analysis
towards Bertha is a means to allow Pearl to spend time with
This opening passage, which introduces the character of
Harry while deflecting suspicion.
Bertha Young, also introduces the reader to a fundamental
aspect of Bertha’s character: the fact that she feels at odds
CATS with the society that she lives in. Bertha feels compelled to
act in a certain way because of societal pressures and
The appearance of cats in the story imbue Bertha’s
assumptions about how people should behave, yet her
joy with a sense of foreboding and symbolize the
feelings contradict this.
harmful nature of dishonesty—both to others, and to oneself.
While looking out over her garden at the pear tree, Bertha sees Bertha is a grown woman and yet wants to act in a way that
two cats crossing the lawn: first a grey one and then a black one is associated with childhood: running, jumping, playing
who is like “his shadow.” Although Bertha has been games, and laughing for no reason. Even Bertha’s surname
contemplating the pear tree as a symbol of the possibility of joy “Young” suggests that, although she appears to be a thirty-
in her own life, the sudden appearance of the two cats beneath year old woman, internally she does not feel like one.
the tree makes her “shiver” and she thinks: “what creepy things However, this does not imply that Bertha is an immature
cats are.” The idea of the black “shadow,” underneath the image character, but that the society in which she lives expects
of Bertha’s “bliss” foreshadows the idea that things are not adults to act in an unnecessarily sensible or mature way.
quite as they appear in the story and that Bertha’s desire for joy
will not come to fruition. The two cats creeping across the lawn
Bertha wants to act in a childish, physical way to express the in a case” also suggests that the physical restrictions placed
feeling of “absolute bliss” which overwhelms her. This seems on women are “idiotic.” Mansfield implies here, through
quite a reasonable thing to want and the ways in which Bertha, that women should have autonomy over their own
Bertha wishes to act seem totally harmless. The fact that bodies and how they choose to use them.
her “bliss” is associated with the sun shining also suggests
that this is a positive emotion, in contrast to the social
restriction which Bertha clearly feels. The phrase “What can But in her bosom there was still that bright glowing place
you do” also suggests that Bertha’s “bliss” is a spontaneous
that shower of little sparks coming from it. It was almost
feeling which she cannot resist or control, and it seems
unbearable. She hardly dared to breathe for fear of fanning it
unreasonable of society to ask this of her simply because higher, and yet she breathed deeply, deeply. She hardly dared to
she is “thirty.” look into the cold mirror—but she did look, and it gave her back
a woman, radiant, with smiling, trembling lips, with big, dark
eyes and an air of listening, waiting for something. . . divine to
Oh, is there no way you can express it without being happen. . . that she knew must happen . . . infallibly.
“drunk and disorderly.” How idiotic civilization is! Why be
given a body if you have to keep it shut up in a case like a rare,
Related Characters: Bertha Young
rare fiddle?
Related Themes:
Related Characters: Bertha Young
Page Number: 144
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis
Page Number: 143 Bertha arrives at her home, still under the influence of the
overwhelming “bliss” that she feels and looks at herself in
Explanation and Analysis the mirror as she ponders this feeling.
“Bliss” is set in Britain in the early 1900s, where behavior This passage is the first indication that Bertha’s “bliss” is not
among upper and middle-class people was strictly governed a straightforward joyful emotion and that it may even be
by the rules of propriety. These rules discouraged emotional tinged with desperation and fear. The use of the word
expression and were considered to be a beacon of “unbearable” suggests that her “bliss” is not an entirely
“civilization.” There were restrictive rules about how women stable emotion but a feeling that is building to something
should behave, and upper and middle-class women were and may become totally overwhelming if it is not quelled or
discouraged from partaking in physical activities or drawing contained. The fact that she “hardly dares to breathe”
attention to the fact that they had physical bodies. suggests that Bertha too, senses this, and is afraid of being
Bertha is antagonistic towards the rules and conventions of consumed by the feeling or transformed into something
“civilized society.” She resents the fact that expressions of other than herself by it. The use of the word “fanning”
emotion or joy are viewed as shocking or improper and that associates her feeling of “bliss” with fire, which can be both
people will assume you are “drunk and disorderly” if you beautiful and destructive.
engage in one. This rejection of emotional openness is The fact that Bertha “hardly dares” to look in the mirror
criticized by Bertha as “idiotic.” This criticism of “civilization” suggests that she is afraid that this transformation may
also reflects Mansfield’s distaste for a society in which have already became to take place and that she will see
certain types of relationships (such as homosexual, romantic evidence of her “bliss” in her reflection. The fact that her
relationships) are deemed inappropriate or unacceptable. reflection seems to be “waiting for something” suggests that
Homosexuality was illegal in Britain until the 1960s. The her “bliss” is not a product of her life as it is, but of some
implication that “civilization” and the rules which govern it, change that she is hopeful will take place. This suggests that
such as propriety or social convention, are “idiotic” suggests Bertha is not happy in her current life and is desperate for
that a society which rejects expressions of love and some “divine” change to occur, although she also seems to
affection between people of the same sex is not really a very be afraid of what this change might be.
“civilized” or enlightened society.
Bertha’s comment that her body is like a “rare fiddle locked
Page Number: 144 Related Characters: Bertha Young, Nurse (speaker), Little
B
Explanation and Analysis
This passage describes Bertha arranging the fruit, which she Related Themes:
has specifically chosen for her party to compliment the
colors and décor of the dining room. Although Bertha Page Number: 145
acknowledges that this seems slightly “absurd” she notes Explanation and Analysis
that, in her state of “bliss,” this had seemed like a perfectly
Bertha goes to the nursery and watches the Nurse feeding
sensible thing to do.
her daughter, Little B. Bertha is jealous of the connection
Aesthetics are an important aspect of Mansfield’s work and between the Nurse and her daughter and wishes that she
reflect her interest in Modernist artistic movements could spend time with her daughter in this way.
popular in Europe at the time in which she was writing. The
Bertha’s situation here represents the norm for middle and
use of strong images in Mansfield’s work also reflects her
upper-class women in early 1900s in Britain. It was very
interest in the Symbolist poets, who used striking images to
common for children to be raised by a nanny and, because
symbolize emotions and internal states. This image of the
society was strictly divided into roles by class, it was
fruit carefully arranged into “pyramids of bright round
deemed improper for women of Bertha’s class to look after
shapes” is reminiscent of the paintings of the French
their own children since physical jobs like childcare were
Impressionists, such as Monet, Degas, or Cezanne, whose
viewed as roles for lower-class women. Although Bertha is
work focused on the careful composition of shapes and
privileged because of her class, her social place is also
colors to capture scenes from nature or still life.
restrictive because it limits the amount of affection that she
The “curious” effect of the table “melting” into the dusk, and can bestow upon her own child. As a result of this, Bertha is
the bowl “floating” in the air, suggests the general jealous of Nurse even though, in literal terms Nurse is poor
atmosphere of enchantment and transformation in the and Bertha is rich and views this relationship as inverted
story. It also supports Bertha’s belief that, by perfectly when she feels like a “poor little girl in front of a rich little
organizing the aesthetics of her external surroundings, she girl with the doll.”
can communicate her internal state to the people around
Nurse too feels that it is improper for Bertha to feed Little B
her. The thought of this “in her present mood” makes Bertha
and is resentful that Bertha tries to interfere and go against
so happy that, again, her joy borders on hysteria or
the conventional rules of society. The repetition of the
madness. Rather than be overwhelmed by it, she rushes off
analogy of the “fiddle being locked in a case” (or “in another
to try and escape.
woman’s arms”) suggests the absurdity of a society which
compartmentalizes relationships and relies so strictly on
dividing everything up into roles.
trying to avoid suspicion by pretending not to like Pearl. specifically because of the limitations placed on sexuality in
the period.
As she waits for her guests to arrive for the dinner party, Explanation and Analysis
Bertha looks out over her garden, which looks beautiful in Bertha lies on the couch before the dinner party and is
the gathering dusk. almost overcome with her feelings of excitement and “bliss.”
Bertha’s pear tree becomes a symbol of her unfulfilled In this state she finds it hard to get ready but is pleased
desire for Pearl Fulton, and her unexplored homosexuality when she realizes that her outfit matches the colors in her
more generally, throughout the course of the story. This is garden.
implied by the fact that the pear tree is described as Bertha views the pear tree as a “symbol of her own life”
“perfect” and the idea that it “had not a single bud or faded because she feels that her life is filled with opportunities
petal.” The pear tree is unspoiled and ideal, just as Bertha’s that should make her very happy. She is aware of her social
desire for Pearl Fulton is unspoiled because it has never privilege because of her class and financial situation.
been explored. However, although the idea of a relationship However, the fact that she feels she should be happy, and
with Pearl is very beautiful to Bertha, just like tree, it is also repeats all the reasons for this to herself, suggests that she
a sad image because it implies that Bertha will never get is not really happy and that this conventional idea of
close enough to Pearl to form a real connection and instead happiness does not line up with what she really wants. The
her love is doomed to remain in this idealized, untouched fact that thinking about her life exhausts her is further
state. evidence of this.
This also corresponds with the tree as a symbol of Bertha’s outfit—“a white dress, a string of jade
forbidden desire and has Biblical links to the perfect but beads”—matches the colors in the garden. Although this is
forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden, which Adam and Eve accidental, Bertha notes its significance. This demonstrates
ate from and which, as a result, brought sin into the that Bertha feels that internal states can be represented or
unspoiled world. The image of the cats underneath the tree symbolized by external appearances. This is reminiscent of
suggests this “shadow” underlying Bertha’s desire and her decision to coordinate the drawing room according to
suggests that her “bliss” is not a “perfect” state but one color in order to communicate her feeling of “bliss” to her
which has potentially damaging consequences for Bertha, guests. However, it also demonstrates that Bertha is a naïve
character who does not take into account the fact that Bertha has about Pearl, allows Bertha to project her own
external appearances can also mask and disguise internal feelings of love onto Pearl and makes her believe that Pearl
states as well as illuminate them. reciprocates her feelings. She believes this to such an extent
that it is as though Pearl has given her verbal confirmation
of this, although, in reality there is no evidence that she has.
And then Miss Fulton, all in silver, with a silver fillet binding
her pale blond hair, came in smiling, her head a little on one
side. “Am I late?” At that moment Miss Fulton “gave the sign.”
“No, not at all,” said Bertha. “Come along.” And she took her arm “Have you a garden?” said the cool, sleepy voice. This was so
and they moved into the dining-room. What was there in the exquisite on her part that all Bertha could do was to obey. She
touch of that cool arm that could fan—fan—start blazing – crossed the room, pulled the curtains apart, and opened those
blazing – the fire of bliss that Bertha did not know what to do long windows. “There!” she breathed. And the two women
with. Miss Fulton did not look at her; but then she seldom did stood side by side looking at the slender, flowering tree.
look at people directly… But Bertha knew, suddenly, as if the Although it was so still it seemed, like the flame of a candle, to
longest, most intimate look had passed between them—as if stretch up, to point, to quiver in the bright air, to grow taller and
they had said to each other: “You, too”—that Pearl Fulton, taller as they gazed—almost to touch the rim of the round,
stirring the beautiful red soup in the grey plate, was feeling just silver moon. How long did they stand there? Both, as it were,
what she was feeling. caught in that circle of unearthly light, understanding each
other perfectly, creatures of another world, and wondering
what they were to do in this one with all this blissful treasure
Related Characters: Bertha Young, Pearl Fulton (speaker)
that burned in their bosoms and dropped, in silver flowers,
Related Themes: from their hair and hands.
In contrast to this, Bertha feels that she and Pearl are has felt sexually attracted to her husband that evening,
“unearthly creatures” who belong to another world. during the spell of the dinner party and under the influence
Moonlight is also significant because the moon is often of her “bliss.” This does not suggest that Bertha is
associated with femininity in pagan mythology and Bertha is heterosexual but rather that the influence of Pearl is so
searching for a connection with another woman. The strong on her that her bliss spreads and infuses other
images of nature, such as the “silver flowers” dropping into things, much like the moon suffuses everything with white
their hair, suggests that homosexual relationships are light.
natural and precious, like “treasures,” and that it is the
society which condemns them which is unnatural.
While he looked it up she turned her head towards the
hall. And she saw . . . Harry with Miss Fulton's coat in his
At those last words something strange and almost arms and Miss Fulton with her back turned to him and her head
terrifying darted into Bertha's mind. And this something bent. He tossed the coat away, put his hands on her shoulders
blind and smiling whispered to her: “Soon these people will go— and turned her violently to him. His lips said: “I adore you,” and
The house will be quiet—quiet. The lights will be out. And you Miss Fulton laid her moonbeam fingers on his cheeks and
and he will be alone together in the dark room—the warm smiled her sleepy smile. Harry's nostrils quivered; his lips
bed.”— She jumped up from her chair and ran over to the piano. curled back in a hideous grin while he whispered: “To-morrow,”
“What a pity someone does not play!” she cried. “What a pity and with her eyelids Miss Fulton said: “Yes.”
somebody does not play.” “Here it is,” said Eddie. “‘Why Must it Always be Tomato Soup?’
For the first time in her life Bertha Young desired her husband. So deeply true, don't you feel? Tomato soup is so dreadfully
Oh, she'd loved him – she'd been in love with him, of course, in eternal.”
every other way, but just not in that way. “If you prefer,” said Harry's voice, very loud, from the hall, “I can
phone you a cab to come to the door.”
Related Characters: Bertha Young (speaker), Pearl Fulton,
Harry Young Related Characters: Harry Young, Eddie Warren (speaker),
Bertha Young, Pearl Fulton
Related Themes:
Related Themes:
Page Number: 154
Related Symbols:
BLISS
Even though Bertha Young is nearly thirty, she still sometimes Bertha wishes to express her internal state, which is one of “absolute
feels the urge to “run instead of walk,” to skip on and off the bliss,” through her actions and behavior. She feels a sense of delight
pavement, or to play games like chasing a “hoop” or catching a that she associates with childhood and wishes that she had the
ball, the way she used to do when she was a child. At other freedom of a child to “run instead of walk” or laugh at nothing if she
times she has the urge to just “stand still” and laugh for no feels like it. As Bertha is a grown woman, she does not know how to
reason at all. She wonders what a grown woman can do if she is express this feeling in a way deemed appropriate for an adult. The
still, periodically, overwhelmed by a feeling of “absolute bliss,” image of the sun shining inside Bertha also alludes to internal states
as though she has swallowed a piece of the sun and it shines being hidden behind external facades.
inside her.
Bertha thinks that civilized society is “idiotic” because, if she Bertha is frustrated because she feels that there is no way she can
were to act as she liked and express her feelings of joy, people express the joy she is feeling without society condemning her
would think her “drunk and disorderly.” She wonders why she behavior. As an upper-middle class woman in Britain in the early
has been given a body at all if she cannot use it any way she 1900s, Bertha’s life is defined by the rules of propriety. Expressions
likes and instead must “keep it locked up in a case like a rare, of emotion were seen as improper according to social conventions in
rare fiddle.” this period, which also viewed women as weak and delicate. This is
implied when Bertha describes her body as a “rare fiddle” locked in a
case. This suggests the belief that women were fragile and needed
protection.
Bertha arrives home and asks her maid if the fruit that she has The “tight clasp” of Bertha’s coat suggests the restrictions placed on
ordered has been delivered. The maid tells her that everything Bertha, both literally (as in the tight, restrictive clothing that was
has arrived, and Bertha says that she will arrange the fruit fashionable for women in the early 1900s) and metaphorically (in
herself. She goes into the dining room and throws off her coat, her desire to express her joy and behave in ways which society
unable to stand the “tight clasp” of it any longer. would deem improper for a woman). The fact that she finds the
clasp hard to bear suggests that Bertha longs to throw off restrictive
social conventions.
Even though the room is cold, Bertha feels warmed by the There is a sense of anticipation throughout “Bliss,” which builds until
feeling of bliss which is still burning inside her. She “hardly the story’s climax and suggests that some change is about to take
dares to breathe” for fear of “fanning” this feeling. As she looks place in Bertha’s life. Although Bertha is happy with her life, the
at herself in the mirror, she feels a sense of anticipation and “bliss” she feels is compared with a fire, which suggests that it can be
thinks that she has the look of a woman who is waiting for destructive if it is not contained. She is waiting for something
something “divine” to happen. “divine” to happen which suggests a lack of fulfilment in her life as
she is excited by the prospect of change or progression.
In the nursery, Nurse is feeding Bertha’s infant daughter, Little Although Little B is Bertha’s child, Bertha is treated like an intruder
B, her supper. When the baby sees Bertha, she gets excited and when she tries to involve herself in her daughter’s life. It was
the Nurse becomes visibly annoyed that Bertha has come in conventional in this period in Britain for upper and middle-class
and interrupted them. Nurse tells Bertha what she has done women to employ nannies to take on the responsibilities of
with the baby that day and that, when she took Little B to the childcare. Although Bertha conforms to this convention, she clearly
park, Little B played with a dog. Bertha wants to tell Nurse that wishes that she could take a more active role in caring for her
it is “rather dangerous” to let Little B play with a “strange dog” daughter. Although Bertha is hugely privileged in some ways, and is
but she is too timid. Watching Nurse feed the baby, Bertha Nurse’s employer, Bertha is not brave enough to question social
feels like a “poor little girl” watching a rich child play with a convention and does not feel that she has any authority over how
beautiful doll. She wonders why she has bothered to have a Little B is raised. She feels jealous of Nurse even though she is a
child if that child is always to be looked after by someone else. servant because she is lucky to spend so much time with Little B.
Little B smiles at Bertha and Bertha is so delighted that she can The fact that Nurse is irritated by Bertha’s request shows that
no longer contain herself and begs Nurse to finish feeding Little Nurse views it as improper for Bertha to take an interest in her child.
B herself. Nurse is irritated and does not think that this is a Even though Bertha is Little B’s mother, Nurse feels that
good idea because she thinks it will overexcite Little B. Bertha childrearing should be beneath a woman of Bertha’s class and that
insists however, and Nurse leaves the pair alone. Bertha enjoys Bertha is crossing class boundaries by asking to feed Little B. Nurse
feeding her daughter and finds that holding and playing with is also jealous of Bertha’s relationship with the baby, just as Bertha
Little B gives her the same feeling of “bliss” that she has felt all is jealous of Nurse. Bertha feels the sense of “bliss” again while
day and that she does not know what to do with. holding Little B because, even though Bertha does not realize it, her
“bliss” is connected with feelings of love.
Nurse re-enters the nursery and tells Bertha that someone is Nurse is pleased when she takes the baby back because she feels
on the phone for her. Bertha hands Little B back over to Nurse, that social order has been restored and that she can resume her job
who takes the baby back triumphantly. It is Bertha’s husband, caring for Little B while Bertha resumes her job managing the house.
Harry, on the phone. He tells her that he will be late for the Bertha’s phone call with Harry demonstrates that social
dinner party. Bertha wants to explain her feeling of “bliss” to conventions affect Bertha’s relationship with her husband. She feels
Harry but feels that it would be ridiculous if she were suddenly that she cannot openly share her “bliss” with him because he would
to exclaim that it has been “a divine day.” Instead, she hangs up view it as absurd or improper. However, Bertha believes that it is
the phone and thinks again that civilized society is “idiotic.” society, with its rules and restrictions, which is “idiotic,” not her own
emotions.
Although Bertha has met Pearl several times and has had long Bertha projects her own feelings of love and “bliss” onto Pearl and
conversations with her, Bertha still feels that there is a level of constructs the idea that Pearl is restrained by social convention, just
reserve about Pearl and that she has not really been able to get as Bertha is, but has hidden aspects to her personality which Bertha
to know her. She feels that, although Pearl is “wonderfully wishes to uncover. This suggests that Bertha is fascinated by Pearl
frank” about some things, there is a “certain point” beyond and wishes to make a genuine, emotional connection with her. It
which Pearl will not go. Bertha finds this quality mysterious in also suggests a hidden side to Bertha’s personality: her unexplored
Pearl and wonders if there is anything more to Pearl’s homosexual attraction to Pearl.
character.
Bertha’s husband Harry feels that there is not, and that Pearl is, Harry’s jokes about Pearl undermine Bertha’s idealized image of the
in fact, cold and dull. Bertha refuses to agree with him on this woman. While Bertha believes that Pearl is a mysterious individual
until she has found out for sure. She thinks that she can find with hidden depths, Harry satirizes this idea by suggesting that
something behind some of Pearl’s mannerisms, such as her nothing lies behind Pearl’s manner except her physical body. This
habit of “sitting with her head a little on one side.” Harry thinks demonstrates that Harry is an irreverent person who undermines
that there is a “good stomach” or “pure flatulence” behind it. social conventions of etiquette. The fact that Bertha likes this
Bertha admits that she likes Harry’s habit of contradicting her quality in her husband demonstrates her desire to break with the
and of making irreverent jokes. rules of propriety.
Bertha goes into the drawing room and begins arranging the This suggests Bertha’s attraction towards Pearl, which she has
sofa cushions. As she does this, she is startled to find herself concealed even from herself. The fact that she is surprised to find
clutching one of the cushions to her chest and hugging it herself hugging the cushions shows the reader that Bertha does not
“passionately.” This action does not quell the feeling of “bliss” understand her own motives. This shows that she is a sexually naïve
which is building in her chest but instead increases it. person and genuinely does not understand that her feeling of “bliss”
is a feeling of love and sexual desire.
Bertha turns away from the window and paces the room. She Bertha’s state here verges on manic or “hysterical” again and there
feels overwhelmed by the scent of the garden coming in is a sense that her happiness is, in fact, a type of desperation to
through the window and throws herself down on the couch. escape her circumstances. Bertha feels that the pear tree represents
She feels that she is “too happy.” Closing her eyes, she seems to her own life because, due to her position of privilege because of her
see a vision of the pear tree and thinks that it is a “symbol of her class and financial status, she is free to spend her time however she
own life” with all its blossoms and petals open. wants.
Lying on the sofa, Bertha thinks about all the wonderful things Bertha thinks about all the things in her life that should make her
that she has that should make her happy with her life. She happy. Were she truly content, however, she likely would not have to
thinks that she and Harry are very happily married, they have remind herself of all the reasons that she should be. The fact that
good friends, and a beautiful child, they are financially secure running through this list exhausts her also suggests that it is an
and have a lovely home and garden. Their friends are “modern” effort for her to be happy and that her situation does not really
and bohemian and interested in cultural and “social questions.” bring her joy. Her outfit matches the pear tree and the garden
It makes her feel “dizzy” and she suddenly feels exhausted and because these things are symbol of her internal desires. Bertha is
wonders how she is going to get herself ready for the evening. interested in expressing these internal desires externally.
She notices that her outfit matches the garden outside with the
green dusk and the white petals of the pear tree under the
moon.
Mr. Norman Knight and his wife, Mrs. Knight, arrive. Mrs. Mrs. Knight is antagonistic towards “civilized” society and social
Knight is wearing a bright, orange coat decorated with a conventions among the British middle-class. She rebels against
pattern of monkeys. As she enters the house, she tells Bertha them by dressing in a way that shocks people. This suggests that,
that her coat has caused a stir on the train and that people like Bertha, Mrs. Knight wants her external appearance to match
were so shocked by the color and pattern of her coat that they her feelings and beliefs. Under the spell of her “bliss,” Bertha feels
stared at her on the journey. Mrs. Knight blames the that the whole evening is enchanted and, as part of this
commotion on the fact that the middle-classes are so “stodgy.” enchantment, she feels that Mrs. Knight really looks like she has
Mr. Knight agrees and thinks that it was very amusing when been turned into a monkey in her yellow dress.
Mrs. Knight snapped at a woman on the train and asked her if
she’d “never seen a monkey before.” Bertha thinks that Mrs.
Knight does look like a monkey in her yellow dress, and that her
earrings look like nuts.
Harry arrives and rushes upstairs to get dressed for dinner. This suggests that Harry is a person who worries about how he
Bertha knows that Harry is not really worried about being late presents himself to the world. Bertha admires his contradictory
but that he enjoys making a show of being “extravagantly cool nature because she wishes to rebel against social conventions and
and collected.” She feels that Harry has a love of being Harry symbolizes this rebellion for her.
contradictory and for fighting even if there is no need for it and
Bertha appreciates this quality in him.
Enjoying the company of her guests, Bertha almost forgets that Bertha’s comment about Pearl suggests that Bertha knows Pearl
Pearl Fulton is still to arrive. When Pearl does arrive, Bertha well or likes to think that she does. It suggests that Bertha feels that
tells the other guests that Pearl uses taxis all the time. She does she and Pearl have an understanding and that she has insight into
this with a knowing manner, which she finds that she often Pearl’s lifestyle that the others do not.
develops with her female friends. Harry says that Pearl will get
fat if she never walks anywhere and always gets taxis.
Pearl Fulton enters the party. Her outfit is all silver and she asks Pearl’s silver outfit associates her with the moonlight, which has
Bertha if she is late. Bertha says no and takes Pearl’s arm. transformed the night outside just as Bertha’s love for Pearl has
When she does this, she feels the feeling of “bliss” return and transformed the world for Bertha. The reader understands that
strengthen. Bertha’s feeling of “bliss” is caused by Bertha’s attraction to Pearl,
because it intensifies when Bertha takes Pearl’s arm.
During the dinner, Bertha feels an inexplicable certainty that The description of the group as “decorative” suggests that they are
Pearl is feeling the same way that she is. The guests discuss only important to Bertha on a surface level. They provide the
theatre and Bertha thinks delightedly what a “decorative” scenery for Bertha’s real purpose for the evening, which is to spend
group they make, like characters in a play. When Harry time with Pearl. The fact that they are like “characters in a play”
compliments the food, Bertha again feels almost overwhelmed suggests that the evening has an unreal or illusory quality. Bertha’s
with tenderness and joy. Everything in the world seems good to fixation on the moon and the pear tree suggests that everything is
her and her thoughts keep on returning to the image of the transformed by her love for Pearl, like everything is transformed by
pear tree in the moonlight. She thinks about these things as she the moonlight. The pear tree is symbolic of Bertha’s hidden desire
watches Pearl peel an orange and her fingers look silver in the for Pearl.
light.
Bertha loses track of how long she and Pearl stand by the Bertha feels that she and Pearl have connected over the image of
window but feels that they share a connection; bathed in the the garden and believes that this separates them from the others in
“circle of unearthly light” coming through the window from the the room. She feels that she and Pearl no longer belong to the
moon. She feels that they are like “creatures” from a different restrictive, domestic world of social conventions and Edwardian
world and that both are under the spell of “bliss” which drops morality but exist in their own world of “bliss” where these things do
“treasure” and “silver flowers” on them. As Bertha thinks this, not matter. She even imagines that Pearl confirms this by
she believes that she hears Pearl say: “Yes. Just that.” whispering, “Yes. Just that,” in response to Bertha’s thoughts.
However, as it is impossible for Pearl to read Bertha’s thoughts, this
is left ambiguous and it is heavily suggested that this exchange only
takes place in Bertha’s mind.
The light in the room is switched on, breaking the spell that Mr. Knight self-consciously satirizes aspects of British society, such
Bertha feels she is under. The other guests are in the room and as his relationship with his daughter. This demonstrates that the
are making coffee. Mr. Knight is complaining that he never sees Knights like to present themselves as cynical, unconventional
his daughter and that he will take no interest in her until she is people. However, the Knights give little evidence that they are
an adult and has a suitor. Eddie Warren is talking about a play actually interested in disrupting societal norms, even if they view
he wants to write for Mr. Knight’s theatre. Harry complains them as shallow and unnecessary. Harry’s complaint about the
that modern playwrights are too “romantic” and that you can’t idealization of life in fiction suggests that he is an honest person
“put out to sea without being seasick and wanting a basin,” and who wishes that other people would be honest too. However, this is
that young writers should have the “courage of those basins.” undercut by the story’s ending in which it is revealed that Harry is
unfaithful to Bertha and that his frankness is a performance.
Pearl sits down, and Harry offers her a cigar. Bertha watches Bertha is confident that she can interpret Harry and Pearl’s feelings
and thinks that, from the way that he is talking to her, Harry is correctly by reading their external appearances. Bertha’s
not only bored by Pearl but really dislikes her. Watching Pearl’s assumption does not account for the fact that Harry and Pearl may
reaction, she believes that Pearl feels this too and is hurt by it. be performing for the sake of propriety or in order to hide their true
Bertha thinks that Harry is “quite wrong” about Pearl and that natures or motives.
he would find her “wonderful” (just as Bertha does) if he got to
know her.
Mr. and Mrs. Knight say that they need to leave to catch the last Bertha again demonstrates that she believes she can correctly
train and begin to say goodbye. Pearl and Eddie Warren agree interpret other people’s intentions by watching their behavior.
to share a taxi. Pearl goes to get her coat from the hall and Although Eddie Warren is thought of as a great writer in fashionable
Harry follows her. Bertha thinks that he is trying to make circles, his claim that “Why must it always be tomato soup?” is
amends for being rude to Pearl. Eddie asks Bertha if he can “incredibly beautiful” is ironic and suggests that Eddie has been
borrow a book of poetry which includes an “incredibly beautiful transformed into a great writer by all the attention that he receives,
line”: “Why must it always be tomato soup?” rather than by his own talent.
Bertha says that she does have this book and goes to get it for Bertha’s certainty about Harry and Pearl’s motives and feelings, is
Eddie Warren. As she comes back past the hall, she glances in completely undermined by this revelation. Both have been lying to
and sees Harry take Pearl in his arms. He sees Harry mouth “I her and performing, as a loyal husband or a kind friend, in order to
adore you” to Pearl and Pearl smiles up at him. Bertha sees trick her and fulfil their own desires. The use of the word “hideous”
Harry’s lips move into a “hideous grin” as he murmurs the word suggests the horror of this revelation for Bertha and how “hideous”
“tomorrow,” while Pearl nods in agreement. she finds the prospect of Harry having a sexual relationship with
Pearl.
Bertha returns to the drawing room and hears Harry say loudly Harry is strategically performing as a good host here, making his
that he can call Pearl her own cab if she’d like. Pearl and Eddie voice louder so that it will seem like he and Pearl have not spoken in
say goodbye and as Pearl takes leave of Bertha, she presses the hall. The fact that Bertha references that pear tree may suggest
Bertha’s hand and says: “Your lovely pear tree.” Bertha watches that Pearl is aware of Bertha’s attraction her, and the significance of
them leave and thinks that Eddie and Pearl look like the grey the tree in Bertha’s mind, but that she is prevented from acting on
cat and the black cat that she saw creeping across the lawn that this by social convention. Or it may indicate that, although Bertha
evening. believed that the tree was significant, and that she and Pearl really
had a connection, it is, in fact, incidental and Pearl has not
understood her meaning at all. Bertha’s memory of the cats under
the pear tree suggests the destruction of her hopes.
To cite any of the quotes from Bliss covered in the Quotes section
HOW T
TO
O CITE of this LitChart:
To cite this LitChart: MLA
MLA Mansfield, Katherine. Bliss. Vintage. 1991.
Greenall, Lily. "Bliss." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 14 Jan 2019. Web. CHICA
CHICAGO
GO MANU
MANUAL
AL
18 Oct 2019.
Mansfield, Katherine. Bliss. New York: Vintage. 1991.
CHICA
CHICAGO
GO MANU
MANUAL
AL
Greenall, Lily. "Bliss." LitCharts LLC, January 14, 2019. Retrieved
October 18, 2019. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/bliss.