Writing Workshop- Literary
Analysis
“Miss Brill”
Prompt:
 What do the symbols of
the fur necklet, the red
eiderdown, and the
honey-cake reveal
about Miss Brill’s
character? Relate her
character to a major
theme of this short story in
your explanation.
Step 1: Always mention the title and
author of the story in the introduction
 In the short story “Miss Brill” by Katherine Mansfield, the symbols of the red
eiderdown, the honey cake, and the fur necklet all contribute to the overall
theme of the story, which is that of isolation and loneliness, despite the
overwhelming urge to have a connection with others.
Step 2: Answer the prompt in either a
declarative or inverted thesis
 Declarative:
 Inverted:
In the short story “Miss Brill by
Katherine Mansfield", the symbols of
the red eiderdown, the honey cake,
and the fur necklet all contribute to
the overall theme of the story, which
is that of isolation and loneliness,
despite the overwhelming urge to
have a connection with others.
Sometimes being lonely is a feeling
that is unavoidable despite the
desire to have a connection with
others. In the short story “Miss Brill”,
Katherine Mansfield illustrates this
theme through her skillful use of
symbols such as the red eiderdown,
the honeycake, and the fur necklet.
Step 3: Expand with textual evidence
( quotes/paraphrasing)
 For example, Miss Brill’s fur necklet operates as a token of luxurious days
and her past. Mansfield states, “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,
giving 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”(86). The fur
necklet is a little worse for wear, like Miss Brill, but still cheerfully patched up
and ready for an outing.
Step 4: Tie it all together
 Miss Brill’s fur is a symbol of her own state: well-preserved, taken out of
moth-powder and brushed up for a good appearance at the park. Every
Sunday, Miss Brill rubs the life back into herself. However, just as with the
beautiful day with a chill in the air, the fur has sad eyes. Just below the
surface of Miss Brill’s life lies sadness.
Syllogistic Method
1st Premise= Get
theoretical and
KEEP a literary
focus!
2nd Premise=
Direct quotes or
paraphrase
Conclusion=
Analysis of your
quotes or paraphrase
Literary Sandwich (Syllogism)
Top Layer of Bread (1st Premise) = Sentence That Contains a literary Term or
Literary Focus
Meat and Veggies (2nd Premise) = Textual Support (Direct Quote or
Paraphrase)
Bottom Layer of Bread (Conclusion) = Link Back to the Prompt And Put the
Sandwich Together
Let’s see the finished product:
In the short story “Miss Brill” by Katherine Mansfield, the symbols of the fur
necklet, red eiderdown, and the honey cake all contribute to the overall theme of
the story, which is that of isolation and loneliness, despite the overwhelming urge to
have a connection with others.
For example, Miss Brill’s fur necklet operates as a token of luxurious days and
her past. Mansfield states:
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, giving 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 (86).
The fur necklet is a little worse for wear, like Miss Brill, but still cheerfully patched up
and ready for an outing.
Miss Brill’s fur is a symbol of her own state: well-preserved, taken out of mothpowder and brushed up for a good appearance at the park. Every Sunday, Miss
Brill rubs the life back into herself. However, just as with the beautiful day with a chill
in the air, the fur has sad eyes. Just below the surface of Miss Brill’s life lies sadness.
Questions?