Living in the same time period, Katherine Mansfield (1923-1988) and James Joyce (1941-1982) played significant roles in the modernist avant-garde of the 20th century. They both shared many artistic likenesses in their approach and techniques in writing short stories. Although the two authors were acquainted with each other, there is no proof that one influenced the other in their writings; yet, the story of Miss Brill, from "The Garden Party and Other Stories" and "Eveline from Dubliners," may prove that theory to be wrong. Yes, they are two different stories from two different authors; however, these stories seem to play off one another. Almost like a ying-yang effect. .
Miss Brill was a shy, lonely older English teacher who lived alone in a small apartment in France. The only people she communicated with were the children she taught and the old gentleman who pays for her company. Sundays are special, almost magical days for Miss Brill. This is the day she gets to take her old fox fur out of the box, dust it off, and go to the park to engage in delightful conversations with others. When she is at the park, she feels like she is part of the community, taking her special seat and looking forward to watching the people go by, even eavesdropping on others conversation. Miss Brill alters her perception of reality to avoid facing the unpleasant aspects of her life. She starts to view everything she sees as if she was watching a play that she has also become a part of. The park setting has become a stage, as the characters act and the band plays a different beat for each scene. This was her escape from reality. Everything is beautiful, until she is forced to step out of her daydream; her fantasy shattered by the inconsiderate and cruel remarks made by the young boy and girl in her fairy tale. Miss Brill, now has to face the reality that she is old, outdated, foolish, unwelcomed, and most importantly, lonely.
