A Doll's House

Themes

• Wealthy vs. working class
• Discrimination

Setting

• New Zealand when it was under British control

Conflict

• The Burnells are not allowed to speak to the Kelveys because the Kelveys are poor.
• The Burnells are allowed to show the doll's house to everyone but the Kelveys.

Climax

• Kezia finally invites the Kelveys to see the doll's house but Aunt Beryl finds them and kicks them out.

Doll's house

• The doll's house symbolizes the world of the upper class.
• The pampered rooms symbolize the extravagent ways of the wealthy. They have everything they need and more.

The Lamp

• The lamp symbolizes the working class.
• Kezia was the only one who found interest in the undecorated lamp.
• Seeing the lamp in the dollhouse made our Else smile.

Mansfield uses the theme to criticize social discrimination that was still prevalent in the 20th century. She uses Kezia to challenge the idea and sympathize for the poor. I support Mansfield's ideas because I believe that we shouldn't discriminate someone by how much money he/she has or the working status of his/her parents.