Comparing Miss Brill ', 'Her First Ball And The Canary'

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Negative social interactions can cause individuals to become isolated as it is a chronic disease, affecting many aspects of one’s existence. This can lead to the development of declining self-esteem, the fear of others or loneliness. The youth tend to be sensitive to social challenges and their self esteem can be fragile, whereas, within the elderly, isolation caused by childlessness can increase frailty, leading to possible health declines. Mansfield’s “Miss Brill,” “Her First Ball” and “The Canary” are three texts that explore the same idea of social interaction, but through the portrayal of contrasting characteristics and experiences of youth and old age. “Miss Brill” and “The Canary” tells a tale of loneliness as a result of old age while “Her First Ball” compares the innocence and naivety of youth to the experiences of age. …show more content…

As a result, she begins to blur the line between fantasy and reality, believing that she is an important part of the Sunday gathering; that “No doubt somebody would have noticed if she hadn’t been there” at the park. Sadly, this thought is more of a fabrication born out of her loneliness as compared to the truth around her. Hence, the truth; when revealed by a young couple, leads to a brutal awakening for Miss Brill. During this, one can see how Miss Brill’s loneliness and misconception of the truth lead her to face a harsh dose of reality, leading to her sense of rejection as she cries back home to her