To define and make a short story successful out of the many that are written, the author often builds a single focus around which the whole short story is concentrated. One situation, person or thing that in some way, relates to everything written within the story. This is evident in all good short stories, but more clearly defined in "The Sniper" by Liam O"Flaherty is how the person relates to all within the story and the thing within "The Dolls House" by Katherine Mansfield. .
"The Doll's House" by Katherine Mansfield is not only about the cruelty of children towards each other, but also, looking at the bigger picture, the social hierarchy that was evident in the 1920s and may that still be rife in certain cliques. Three middle-class girls are given a beautiful doll's house as a present. They allow their excited school friends to see the doll's house, but there are two sisters from a very poor family whom they despise, laugh at, taunt and generally shun. They exclude these sisters from viewing their precious dolls house, as they are not deemed worthy. From this we can see that throughout the story, the one constant that remains faithfully is the dolls house. This one thing, the dolls house, is what the whole story is built around and also what the theme centres upon. The theme is concerned primarily with the bigotry in society and the dolls house symbolises the upper crust society's love for possessions and wealth as opposed to a more basic human kindness, joy for life and a simple compassion to those less fortunate. .
"It was a perfect little house.".
"Mother" said Kezia, "can't I ask the kelveys just once?".
"Certainly not Kezia.".
"But why not?".
"Run away Kezia; you know quite well why not".
Whereas, the main focus of the short story "The Sniper" by Liam O"Flaherty is how the person, or in this case, the main character, relates to all within the story and again more importantly, the theme.
