THE DOLL’S HOUSE SUMMARY
THE DOLL’S HOUSE SUMMARY BY CATHERINE MANSFIELD
Old Mrs. Hay sent the children of the Burnell’s a large doll’s house. Then, It was kept in the courtyard propped up on two wooden boxes. It was summer. It was a black, oily, green and bright yellow. Four windows were divided into panes by a broad streak of green. There was a tiny porch painted yellow. There was smell of the paint. But the doll’s house was new immensely joyful to the children,
The house front was swung back when Pat opened the hook with the penknife. One could see the drawing room and dining room, the kitchen and two bedrooms. It was exciting to peer through the slit of a door into the little hall.
The Burnell children had never seen anything like it. There were pictures on the walls with gold frames. Red carpet covered the floors ; red plush chairs in the drawing room, tables, beds with real bed clothes, a cradle, a stove, a dresser with small plates and a big jug. Lamp stood in the middle of the dining room table. It is a beautiful lamp with a white globe. The father and mother dolls were spread on the drawing room and their children were asleep upstairs. To Kezia, the lamp was real and perfect.
Next morning, the Burnell children were eager to tell to their friends about the doll’s house in the school. Isabel, the eldest wanted to tell first. Lottie and Kezia, other children could not dispute the right of the eldest. It was decided that the girls of the school might be allowed to look at the doll’s house two at a time. They would stand quietly in the courtyard and Isabel would point out the beauties. They could not reach the school before the bell-ring. In the playtime, the girls gathered round Isabel to hear something that is quite interesting. But the little Kelveys kept outside the circle.
The Burnell children had to read in that school because there was no other school for miles. All the children from aristocratic families as well as from the low class were admitted into that school. Children of aristocratic families including the Burnells were not allowed to speak to the Kelveys who were the daughters of washerwoman. Other girls avoid -them always. Even the teacher spoke to them with a special voice. Their father was known to be in jail. The Kelvey girls were dressed in old clothes given to them by the people. Lil the elder Kelvey was stout, and her little sister Else was small and thin. She always held on to Lil.
The Kelveys remained outside the circle of the girls who listened to Isabel’s description of the doll’s house. Lil gave silly shame-faced smile at the girls but Else looked. Proud Isabel gave the description of the carpet, beds, the stove. Kezia reminded her of the lamp which according to him was the best of all. Isabel chose the two who were to see the doll’s house in that evening. Everyone tried to get the favour of precedence from Isabel.
Only the Kelveys were ignored. Days passed, and more and moe girls saw the doll’s house. Its fame spread. Everyone was curious to see Burnell’s doll’s house. The girls always talked about the doll’s house, and the little Kelveys listened to them from outside of their circle. Kezia wanted to ask the Kelveys to see the doll’s house, but the mother would not allow it.
Everybody saw the doll’s house except the Kelveys. Children during dinner time in the school talked about the doll’s house. Gradually, the interest flagged . They saw the Kelveys eating their ordinary food out of the news paper. Emmie Cole said in whisper that Lil would be a servent when she grew up. The girls relished the topic. Lena Logan wanted to ask Lil about it. Other girls objected, but Lena danced and giggled and went over the Kelveys and asked Lil if she would become a servant. Lil smiled as usual. She did not mind the question. Lena then asked Lil if her father was in prison. The girls enjoyed it, got excited and skipped widely.
There were visitors in the Burnell house. Isabel and Lottie went up to change their dresses but Kezia slippecheurk secretely. She began swing on addressed the Kelveys who were astonished. She asked them to come and see the doll’s house. Lil shook her head to show unwillingness. She said that their mother forbade them not to speak to the Burnell children. Kezia said that they might come and see the doll’s house because nobody Else tugged at her sister’s scirt and her eyes beamed with desire to see the doll’s house. Lil then agreed, and Kezia led them to where the doll’s house was kept.
Kezia showed them the details and the Kelveys were excited and astonished. At this time Aunt Beryl was seen at the backdoor and she shouted to Kezia how she dared to ask the Kelveys into the courtyard. She ordered the Kelveys to go away at once and not to come again. Aunt Beryl called Kezia wicked and disobedient. The Kelveys went away and sat on a big drainpipe. Lil’s cheeks were burning with shame. They looked over the fields and wattles. Else went close to her sister and said that she has seen the little lamp in the doll’s house. The Kelveys then were silent.
THE DOLL’S HOUSE SUMMARY BY CATHERINE MANSFIELD
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THE DOLL’S HOUSE SUMMARY BY CATHERINE MANSFIELD