Bliss+Character+Analysis

__**CHARACTERS IN 'BLISS'**__


 * **Pearl Fulton**
 * **Harry**
 * **Bertha Young**
 * **The Norman Knights - Mug and Face**
 * **Eddie Warren**
 * **Little B (Harry and Bertha's baby)**
 * **Nurse**
 * **Mary - Servant**

__**Pearl Fulton:**__

A ‘friend’ of Bertha’s whom she met at her country club. Accidental??? She is blonde, beautiful, cool and reserved. Name symbolic – beauty, desirable, sexual. Is having an affair with Harry. Portrayed symbolically to a cat – sly, cunning and selfish – stalks its prey. Her character reinforces the idea of the lack of communication in upper class society and the superficial relationships which exist. She admires Bertha’s “perfect pear tree” (perfect life) Bertha's new 'find'; an attractive blonde woman who Bertha is immediately drawn to. There is an air of uncertainty about Pearl, as Bertha is not entirely sure what it is that they share which unites them, she later realises it is a desire for Harry, and perhaps Pearl is sharing in Bertha's Bliss?! Bertha does not know Pearl very well, but falls in love with her nonetheless ("as she always did fall in love with beautiful women who had something strange about them"). It is debated that Bertha might have homoerotic feelings for Pearl. These thoughts also serve to induce the reader to think about the connection between being a lesbian in the early 20th century and Mansfield’s own sexual confusion.

__**Bertha Young**__

The main character, age 30. She is depicted as being extremely naïve but happy. The reader is bound to sympathize with her, because she is the only character in the story who seems to have genuine feelings towards somebody else. The presence of servants in Harry's and Bertha's house implies that the couple is part of the upper class. She is married to a Harry - a rich businessman. She regards him as a ‘pal’. Is not attracted to her husband and often “falls in love” with mysterious women. Raises questions as to her sexuality. Her latest attraction is to Pearl Fulton. She is filled with “bliss” and thinks her life is perfect. She has a rich husband, satisfactory house, baby, dressmaker and suitable friends. She sees the perfect pear tree in her garden as a symbol of her life. Thinks stray cats are creepy– foreshadows Harry and Pearls affair. __**Harry**__

Bertha's husband. Like most characters, he is characterized only through Bertha's thoughts towards him. He is a wealthy, upper-class businessman. Very dominant and masculine. Has a “zest for life” and is also arrogant. Is not attracted to Bertha and degrades her in front of others. Sees Pearl as a challenge or conquest. Has an affair with her. He has no relationship with his daughter, sees her as a possession just as Bertha is. He is a stereotypical upper-class male from this time period who takes what he wants with no consequences. At the end of the story it becomes clear that Bertha's view of Harry as a loving friend and husband is not entirely accurate.

__** Dinner guests **__** Mr and Mrs Norman Knigh ** t: Refer to each other when alone, or in the company of close friends as 'Mug' and 'Face'. Upper-class couple. Face – compared to a monkey = mimicry/imitation. Interested in interior design. Mug, wears a monocle, is opening a theatre. One personality between them- lack of individuality. Very proper and only discuss materialistic and shallow issues- E.g the colour of Mr Warren’s socks. Eddie Warren ** : A poet, and an effeminised and possibly homosexual character. Eddie Warren is a playwright. Over the-top, exaggerates situations. Also concerned with material issues, very self-involved and conceited. Discusses with Bertha the beauty of the “tomato soup” line when she has just found out Harry is having an affair.

These characters help reinforce the superficial nature of upper-class society and the lack of genuine relationships and communication which exists (Social satire).

Bertha does not have a traditional relationship with her daughter. She sees little B almost as a doll or toy to be treasured and played with. She is intimidated by the nurse who is the real mother figure and knows little about sleep patterns, eating times – the needs of a baby. This was not unusual behaviour for a woman of the upper-class in Victorian London. It was considered unseemly for a mother to raise their child without a nurse or nanny.
 * Little Bertha **, ** Mary **, **Nurse:**