Bliss+Symbolism

Berthas mind has created an illusion of bliss in her life. Blinded by her illusion, she convinces herself of the happiness surrounding her actually exists, when really, this happiness is just a figment of her imagination. Two key symbols that reflect the reality of Bertha ’ s life are the pear tree and the two cats.
 * __ SYMBOLISM __**

__Nature - the pear tree__
First, the pear tree is vibrant and colourful, so Bertha compares her life to the tree. Bertha sees the blooming [|pear] tree in the garden as a symbol of her happiness and her friendship with Pearl. However, when Bertha's mood changes rapidly in the end, the tree remains the same, showing the error in Bertha's perception of a connection. ("But the pear tree was as lovely as ever and as full of flower and as still.") The last lines of this story are also immensely important as well, Pearl's line “your lovely Pear tree” echoes in the readers mind, who is she referring to Harry and the affair she had with him, or Bertha and flirtation between them, or perhaps Pearl like Mansfield herself is bisexual and referring to them both. __**CATS**__ During the dinner party Bertha looks into her garden at her pear tree. She sees a grey cat, dragging its belly, creeping across the lawn, and a black one, its shadow, trailing after. The black cat seems to follow the grey cat around which symbolizes the affair Harry is having with Pearl. The implication of these cats is, the grey cat represents Pearl and the black cat represents Harry. Bertha encounters a curious shiver at the first sight of these cats, which gives you an idea that these cats are of some significance. This is also an example of foreshadowing. The purpose of these cats in the story is to subtly imply to readers the affair between Pearl and Harry. Bertha is blissfully unaware of this affair but will inevitably find out about it.


 * __NAMES__**


 * __FOOD__**

In conclusion, the illusion of Bertha ’ s blissful life is countered by the symbols that reflect the reality. Bertha ’ s life is actually full, but only of illusions and deceit. The pear tree and the cats each reflect the reality of Bertha ’ s life. Bertha ’ s vibrant and happy life is nothing more than a mere illusion, and Pearl is gaining control of it.