Blancmange?

[MrX]

Motif/Trope/Figurative Language to convey the extraordinary aspects of the main character.

"And she had that maddening habit of asking for just an inch more bread to finish what she had on her plate, and then, at the last mouthful, absentmindedly - of course it wasn't absentmindedly - taking another helping. Josephine got very red when this happened..." (Mansfield 365).

Personally I think that this is hilarious. Mansfield conveys that the daughters are trying to be nice by inviting the nurse to stay with them but find it hard to deal with the chore of having a guest. The girls also comment that they wouldn't mind eating blancmange without jam, but because of the nurse they have to find an alternative.

[MaryShelley]

yes, this is another funny moment. the sisters' scrutiny of the nurse and the nurse's irritating behavior are both so convincing. The inclusion of the sisters' insight "of course it wasn't absentmindedly" is indicative of the sisters' never-spoken or acted upon authority over their experience. Does this make sense to you? They invite the nurse to stay and immediately regret it, as if this kind of incidental self-sacrifice is all they know. So, while incredibly funny because it's so human, the sisters' response to the nurse is indicative of the powerlessness they feel in every situation, I think. Remember, they are not girls, but women in their 40s. So their behavior must always be viewed w this in mind.

[MrX]

"And she had that maddening habit of asking for just an inch more bread to finish what she had on her plate, and then, at the last mouthful, absentmindedly - of course it wasn't absentmindedly - taking another helping. Josephine got very red when this happened..." (Mansfield 365).

The language that Mansfield uses conveys that the girls, who are in fact 40-year-old women, are powerless when it comes to dealing with other people. They feel inclined to proceed within societal norms and conform. Mansfield uses "maddening habit" to show the frustration that Josephine feels. However, Josephine does not bring up the incident to the nurse as she feels helpless. The incorporation of "of course it wasn't absentmindedly" adds to the fact that the sister's can do nothing more than get angry and keep it to themselves.

[MaryShelley]

Good work, Mr. X. You also want to point to "Josephine got very red when this happened." This involuntary response is evidence of repressed anger, no inference needed.

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