The kelveys in The Doll’s House are two sisters who are ostracized from their community due to their lower social status. The discrimination they face is shown through their clothing, which signifies their lower class. While the other children in the story wear clean, fashionable clothes, the kelveys wear old and worn-out clothes, which are often patched up and mismatched. The clothing not only represents their lower social status but also shows how they are excluded from the society.
The symbolism behind the kelveys’ clothing in The Doll’s House is a powerful and thought-provoking aspect of the story. It sends a message about the hierarchical system within society and how it affects individuals. The story shows how those who are in lower-class positions are treated unfairly and marginalized. The depiction of the kelveys’ clothing shows how their lack of financial resources affects their lives and how society judges them based on their economic status.
Furthermore, the kelveys’ clothing also signifies their resilience and determination. Despite the discrimination they face and their clothing being a source of ridicule from their peers, they continue to wear what they have with pride. Their clothing symbolizes their strength and ability to overcome major obstacles in their lives. Overall, the kelveys and their clothing represent more than just a social class, but also convey a message about perseverance and resilience.
Social Class Divide
The Kelvey sisters’ clothing in “The Doll’s House” by Katherine Mansfield serves as a symbol of the social class divide that exists in the story. The Kelvey sisters are from a lower social class than the Burnell sisters, who are the main characters in the story. This divide is evident in the way the characters dress and behave throughout the story.
- The Burnell sisters wear beautifully-made dresses and have access to fancy toys and dolls, whereas the Kelvey sisters wear old, hand-me-down clothing and play with simple toys.
- The Burnell sisters are invited to expensive parties and have the opportunity to interact with people from their own social class, whereas the Kelvey sisters are excluded from these events and are looked down upon by their peers.
- The Burnell sisters are able to attend school and be educated, while the Kelvey sisters are forced to drop out of school to work and help support their family.
Furthermore, the Kelvey sisters are often referred to as “common” by the other characters in the story, highlighting the classist attitudes held by the people of the time. The Burnell sisters, on the other hand, are seen as superior and above the Kelveys because of their social status.
The class divide represented through clothing in “The Doll’s House” is a recurring theme in literature and society. It sheds light on the biases and judgments that exist based on one’s social standing and serves as a reminder of the inequalities that still exist today.
Conformity and Nonconformity
One of the main themes in “The Doll’s House” by Katherine Mansfield is the idea of conformity and nonconformity. The Kelvey sisters, specifically their clothing, represent the nonconformist perspective in the story.
- The Kelvey sisters’ clothing is described as “shabby” and “poor,” which sets them apart from the other children in the story who wear nicer, more fashionable clothing. This can be seen as a symbol of their nonconformity to societal norms and expectations.
- The fact that the other children in the story make fun of the Kelvey sisters’ clothing further emphasizes the pressure to conform and the negative consequences of not doing so.
- The Kelvey sisters’ clothing can also be seen as a symbol of their social status and how they are viewed by others in their community. They are seen as outsiders and are not fully accepted because they do not conform to societal norms, specifically in their clothing choices.
The contrast between the Kelvey sisters’ clothing and the clothing of the other characters in the story highlights the pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations. The story suggests that those who do not conform are looked down upon and treated poorly by others in their community.
However, the Kelvey sisters’ nonconformity can also be seen as a symbol of their strength and resilience. Despite the negative treatment they receive from the other children in the story, they continue to be themselves and do not shy away from who they are. This can be seen as a form of nonconformity that is positive and empowering.
Works Cited
Mansfield, Katherine. “The Doll’s House.” ILU English Literature Series, Penerbit Erlangga, 1990, pp. 13–21.
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mansfield, Katherine | The Doll’s House | Penerbit Erlangga | 1990 |
Individuality and Identity
The Kelvey sisters in “The Doll’s House” by Katherine Mansfield are often seen as outcasts and are treated poorly by the other characters in the story. However, their clothing choices in the story can be seen as a symbol of their own individuality and identity. Here’s why:
- The Kelvey sisters are often seen wearing clothes that are old, faded, and ill-fitting. This can be interpreted as a representation of their lower class status and lack of access to proper clothing.
- Despite their lack of fashionable clothing, the Kelvey sisters take pride in their appearance and make an effort to look neat and tidy. This shows their determination to present themselves as best as they can given their circumstances.
- Additionally, the Kelvey sisters often wear matching outfits, which can be seen as a way of expressing their close bond as sisters and their desire to stick together despite the rejection they face from others.
Authoritative Interpretation
The Kelvey sisters’ clothing choices can also be interpreted as a means of asserting their own individuality and identity. In a world where social status and appearance dictate how one is treated, the Kelvey sisters use their clothing as a way of expressing their own unique personalities and rejecting societal norms.
This is particularly evident in the scene where the Kelveys are described as standing “as if they were wearing a pair of shoes too tight for them.” This can be interpreted as a metaphor for how they feel in their social position – constricted and uncomfortable. However, they still stand tall and proud, refusing to be ashamed of who they are.
Overall, the Kelvey sisters’ clothing choices in “The Doll’s House” can be seen as a symbol of their own individuality and identity, as well as their determination to assert themselves in a world where they are considered outcasts.
Table Comparisons
To further analyze the symbolism of the Kelvey sisters’ clothing in “The Doll’s House,” here is a table comparing their clothing to that of other characters in the story:
| Character | Clothing Description | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Kezia Burnell | Wears a new, elegant dress | Represents her upper-class status and privilege |
| Aunt Beryl | Wears fine clothing and jewelry | Represents her desire to conform to societal norms and her emphasis on appearances |
| The Kelvey Sisters | Wears old, faded, and ill-fitting clothing | Represents their lower-class status and lack of access to proper clothing, as well as their determination to assert their individuality and identity |
This table highlights the contrast between the Kelvey sisters’ clothing and that of other characters in the story, emphasizing the symbolism of their clothing choices and the message they convey.
Appearance vs. Reality
Throughout “The Doll’s House”, there are themes of appearance vs. reality. One example of this is through the clothing of the Kelvey sisters. On the surface, their clothing seems to symbolize their lower social status and poverty. However, upon closer examination, their clothing actually represents their resilience and determination.
- The Kelveys clothing initially appears shabby and unkempt, with “ragged frocks” and “old black jackets”. However, this clothing is also durable and practical, allowing the Kelveys to navigate their difficult living circumstances.
- Mrs. Kelvey is ashamed of her daughters’ appearance and tries to improve it by asking Mrs. Burnell for clothing donations. This shows how appearances are valued in their society, but also highlights the Kelveys’ resourcefulness and ability to make do with what they have.
- When the Kelveys receive the “fine blue sashes” from the Burnells, it seems like a generous gift that will improve their appearance. However, it also sets off a chain of events that reveals the harsh reality of class divisions and social exclusion in their community.
The Kelveys’ clothing ultimately represents the limitations and inequalities of their society. Despite this, they continue to persevere and find strength in their own way. This is a powerful commentary on the nature of appearance vs. reality and the resilience of those who are marginalized.
| Appearance | Reality |
|---|---|
| Shabby and unkempt clothing | Durable and practical clothing |
| Gift of “fine blue sashes” | Reveals social exclusion and class divisions |
Overall, the Kelveys’ clothing symbolizes the complex and multifaceted nature of appearance vs. reality in “The Doll’s House”. It highlights the struggles and strengths of marginalized individuals, while also exposing the flaws and inequalities of their society.
Discrimination and Prejudice
The Kelvey sisters, Isabel and Lottie, are discriminated against and shunned by the other children in the story due to their lower socioeconomic status and unkempt appearance. Their clothing symbolizes this discrimination and prejudice.
- Their clothing is described as shabby and old-fashioned, setting them apart from the other children who wear clean and modern clothes.
- The fact that they wear hand-me-downs reinforces their lower status in society, as they cannot afford new clothes.
- The girls are not invited to events such as birthday parties because the other children do not want them there, simply because of their appearance and economic background.
This discrimination and prejudice is further reinforced by the fact that the Kelveys are often referred to as “the scum of the earth” and “nobody knows who their father is”. These derogatory terms emphasize the societal stigma and shame that was associated with being poor in the early 1900s.
Overall, the Kelvey sisters’ clothing serves as a visual representation of the discrimination and prejudice they face from the other characters in the story. It highlights the societal divide between the upper and lower classes and the harmful effects that prejudice and discrimination can have on those who are marginalized.
| Discrimination | Prejudice |
|---|---|
| Discrimination refers to the unjust treatment of individuals or groups based on factors such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status. | Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes that are not based on reason or actual experience, often resulting in unfair treatment of members of certain groups. |
The discrimination and prejudice experienced by the Kelvey sisters is a reflection of the pervasive inequalities and biases that existed during the early 1900s, and unfortunately continue to exist today. It is important to recognize and challenge these systems of oppression in order to create a more just and equitable society.
Financial Inequality
Financial inequality is a major theme in “The Doll’s House” by Katherine Mansfield. The Kelvey sisters, who are from a lower social class than the rest of the characters in the story, are constantly reminded of their social standing by the other characters. Their clothing in particular serves as a symbol of this financial inequality.
- The Kelvey sisters’ clothing is described as old, faded, and patched, in contrast to the other characters’ new and fashionable clothing.
- Their clothing serves as a visual marker of their lower social status and financial hardship.
- The other characters in the story use the Kelvey sisters’ clothing as a way to distance themselves from the sisters and reinforce their own social status.
Furthermore, the Kelvey sisters’ clothing also represents their lack of agency and power in society. As a result of their social status, they are unable to afford new clothing and are therefore stuck wearing old and unfashionable clothing. This lack of agency and power is further reinforced by the other characters’ treatment of the sisters.
| Characters | Class | Clothing |
|---|---|---|
| The Burnell children | Upper class | New and fashionable |
| The Kelvey sisters | Lower class | Old, faded, and patched |
In conclusion, the Kelvey sisters’ clothing serves as a symbol of financial inequality, lack of agency, and powerlessness in “The Doll’s House.” It highlights the classist attitudes of the other characters in the story and the negative consequences of financial inequality in society.
Childhood Innocence and Experience
One of the main themes in “The Doll’s House” by Katherine Mansfield is the contrast between childhood innocence and experience. Throughout the story, various symbols are used to represent these ideas, including the clothing of the Kelveys.
The Symbolism of the Kelvey’s Clothing
- The Kelveys are poor and neglected, which is represented by their shabby clothing.
- Their clothing also sets them apart from the other children, who are all dressed in clean, fashionable clothing.
- The number 7 on their jersey symbolizes their family size and their perceived difference from the other children.
- The Kelveys’ clothing is also symbolic of their lack of social status and their exclusion from the higher echelons of society.
The Importance of Childhood Innocence
The contrast between the Kelveys and the other children highlights the theme of childhood innocence. The Kelveys are innocent in the sense that they have not yet been exposed to the harsh realities of the adult world, such as social hierarchies and prejudices. They are simply children trying to find their place in the world.
The other children, on the other hand, are already influenced by the prejudices of adults. They see the Kelveys as different and ‘lower class’, and they exclude them from their games and activities.
The Loss of Innocence
The Kelveys’ clothing also represents the loss of childhood innocence. As they grow up and become more aware of the social hierarchies around them, they begin to understand the significance of their shabby clothing and the number 7 on their jersey. They realize that they are different from the other children and that this will affect their opportunities and prospects in life.
This loss of innocence is further highlighted by the ending of the story, in which Kezia realizes that her actions in trying to help the Kelveys have caused her to be shunned by the other children. She learns that there are consequences for stepping out of line and trying to challenge the established social order.
| Symbol | Representation |
|---|---|
| Shabby clothing | Poverty and neglect |
| Number 7 | Family size and exclusion |
| Contrast with other children’s clothing | Exclusion from higher echelons of society |
The Power of Clothing and Fashion
Clothing has always been a powerful symbol in literature and in real life. In “The Doll’s House”, the Kelveys’ clothing symbolizes their status in society and the way they are treated by others.
In the story, the Kelveys are poor and considered outcasts by the other children at school. Their clothing is old and shabby, and they lack the fashionable clothes that other children wear. This makes them stand out and be treated differently by their peers.
- Clothing as a Symbol of Status: The Kelveys’ clothing is used to symbolize their lower status in society. In a time when social class determined one’s worth, the Kelveys were seen as inferior due to their lack of fashionable clothing.
- The Power of Conformity: The other children at school wore fashionable clothing, and the Kelveys did not. This created a power dynamic where the “popular” children held more power over the Kelveys due to their clothing status.
- The Role of Clothing in Identity: Clothing is often seen as a way to express one’s identity, but in “The Doll’s House”, the Kelveys are unable to express their true selves through their clothing due to their social and economic status.
Fashion is also a powerful symbol in the story. The fashionable clothing worn by the other children at school represents their conformity to societal norms and their adherence to the idea of fitting in.
The Kelveys, on the other hand, do not conform to these norms and are seen as outsiders. This is indicative of the power of fashion to influence our perception of others and to create social divisions based on appearance.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kelveys’ Clothing | Symbol of lower status and social outcast |
| Fashionable Clothing | Symbol of conformity to societal norms and power in social dynamics |
Overall, the power of clothing and fashion in “The Doll’s House” highlights the role of appearance in shaping our perceptions of others and the ways in which societal norms can create divisions based on appearance and social status.
Family Dynamics and Relationships
The Kelvey family in “The Doll’s House” by Katherine Mansfield represents a lower-class family who is looked down upon by the rest of the town. The Kelveys are two sisters who are isolated from the rest of the children in their school due to their social status, which is evident through their clothing that symbolizes their status in the story. The following is an in-depth explanation of the symbolism behind the Kelveys’ clothing:
The Number 9
The Kelveys are known for their tattered and ill-fitting clothing, which is emphasized in the story when the other children make fun of them for wearing “ninepenny” and “sixpenny” clothing. The number nine symbolizes their poverty and low social status in the story. Nine is seen as the opposite of ten, which is regarded as a complete and whole number. In contrast, nine is incomplete and lacking, which reflects the Kelveys’ incomplete status in society. Additionally, in numerology, nine is often associated with the end of a cycle or chapter in life, suggesting that the Kelveys’ poverty and social isolation are continuously ongoing and have no end in sight.
- The number nine symbolizes the Kelvey family’s poverty and low social status.
- Nine is the opposite of ten, reflecting the Kelveys’ incomplete status in society.
- In numerology, nine is often associated with the end of a cycle, suggesting that the Kelveys’ poverty and social isolation are continuous.
Overall, the number nine in the story is a reminder of the Kelveys’ ongoing struggles and serves as a symbol of the economic and social divide within the community.
The Themes of Oppression and Resistance
In “The Doll’s House,” the symbolism of the Kelvey sisters’ clothing represents the themes of oppression and resistance that permeate the narrative.
- The Kelvey sisters are constantly looked down upon by the other characters in the story because of their poverty and their position as outcasts in their community. Their shabby clothing serves as a visible marker of their low social status and is used by others to reinforce their inferiority.
- However, despite their marginalization, the Kelvey sisters resist the oppressive forces acting against them. They refuse to be defeated by the cruel treatment they receive from their peers and continue to pursue their own interests and desires, such as their love for the doll’s house. Their insistence on being themselves in the face of societal pressure is an act of rebellion.
- The juxtaposition of the Kelvey sisters’ clothing with that of the other characters highlights the stark inequalities and contrasts between the different social strata. The well-dressed Burnell children represent the privileged, while the Kelvey sisters serve as a reminder of the injustice and discrimination that exist in their community.
The table below summarizes the symbolism of the Kelvey sisters’ clothing:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Shabby clothing | Inferior social status and poverty |
| Well-dressed children | Privilege and social superiority |
The Kelvey sisters’ clothing acts as a tangible representation of the themes of oppression and resistance in “The Doll’s House,” highlighting the subjugation of the marginalized and the power dynamics present in society.
What does the Kelveys clothing symbolize in The Doll’s House?
Q: What is The Doll’s House?
A: The Doll’s House is a short story written by Katherine Mansfield in 1922 about the social class divide between the Burnells and the Kelveys in a small New Zealand town.
Q: Who are the Kelveys?
A: The Kelveys are two sisters who are shunned by the other children in the story because of their lower class status. They are described as wearing worn, old-fashioned clothing.
Q: What does their clothing symbolize?
A: The Kelveys’ clothing symbolizes their lower class status and the judgment and discrimination they face from the other characters in the story.
Q: How does this affect the story?
A: The Kelveys’ clothing highlights the social class divide in the story and emphasizes the unfair treatment they receive from the other characters.
Q: What is the significance of their clothing being described in detail?
A: The detailed description of their clothing emphasizes how different the Kelveys are from the Burnells and adds to the overall theme of social class divide.
Q: Is there any hope for the Kelveys in the story?
A: The story ends on a bittersweet note with the girls being invited to see the Burnell’s doll’s house, hinting at a potential change in attitude towards the Kelveys.
Closing Thoughts: Thanks for Reading
In conclusion, the Kelveys’ worn and old-fashioned clothing in The Doll’s House symbolizes their lower class status and the discrimination they face. This adds to the overall theme of social class divide in the story. However, the ending gives a glimmer of hope that attitudes towards the Kelveys may change. Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We hope you visit again later!