What Happens To Change Helen's Feelings About Breaking The Doll

What Happens to Change Helen's Feelings About Breaking the Doll?

In Katherine Mansfield's poignant short story, "The Doll's House," young Helen's initial callous disregard for the outcast Burnell children undergoes a subtle yet significant transformation. While the story doesn't explicitly detail a dramatic shift in Helen's feelings about breaking a doll, the incident serves as a crucial catalyst for her evolving understanding of social hierarchy and empathy. Instead of focusing on a hypothetical act of breaking a doll, let's explore how the events of the story impact Helen's overall perspective on class, exclusion, and the consequences of her actions, ultimately hinting at a potential shift in her attitude towards acts of destruction and their impact on others.

The Initial Callousness: A Product of her Environment

Helen's initial behavior isn't born of malice, but rather a reflection of the rigid social structures instilled within her privileged world. She's a product of her upbringing, surrounded by an environment that reinforces the importance of social standing and the inherent superiority of her class. The story subtly reveals this through seemingly insignificant details: her beautiful doll's house, a symbol of her family's wealth and status, and her unchallenged acceptance within the social hierarchy of the school.

The Doll's House as a Symbol of Privilege

The doll's house itself acts as a potent symbol. It's not merely a toy; it’s a miniature replica of Helen's privileged world, complete with tiny furniture and exquisite details. Its very existence reinforces the stark contrast between Helen's world and that of the Burnells, highlighting the economic and social chasm that separates them. This physical manifestation of her privileged status unconsciously informs her actions and perceptions.

The Power Dynamics at Play

Helen's interactions with her peers are heavily influenced by the unspoken rules of social class. She readily joins the other girls in excluding the Burnell children, her actions driven less by personal animosity and more by an ingrained acceptance of the social order. This conformity demonstrates the powerful influence of societal norms on even a young child's behavior.

The Seeds of Change: Witnessing Exclusion

The pivotal moment in the story doesn't involve Helen breaking a doll, but rather her witnessing the ostracism of the Burnell sisters. This observation, however unintentional, becomes the catalyst for a potential shift in her perspective. The girls’ pointed refusal to allow the Burnells to see the doll's house forces Helen to confront the harsh realities of social exclusion firsthand.

The Burnells' Perspective: A Glimpse into Another World

Mansfield masterfully portrays the Burnells' quiet dignity in the face of rejection. Their vulnerability and inherent worth, despite their social standing, begin to chip away at Helen's preconceived notions. Seeing their longing for acceptance and their quiet resilience challenges the established narrative Helen has internalized about class and social hierarchy.

The Significance of the Gaze: A Moment of Recognition

The story emphasizes the significance of a shared gaze between Helen and Kezia Burnell. This brief moment of connection transcends the social barriers established by the other children. It’s a powerful, albeit fleeting, encounter that subtly challenges Helen's ingrained biases. This unspoken understanding plant seeds of empathy within Helen's young mind. She begins to see the Burnells not as an inferior other, but as individuals worthy of consideration.

The Gradual Transformation: A Shift in Understanding

Helen's change isn't a sudden, dramatic epiphany. Instead, it's a gradual process of internal reflection, triggered by the events surrounding the doll's house and her observation of the Burnells' marginalized status. The story subtly hints at a growing awareness within her about the unfairness of social exclusion.

The Weight of Silence: A Deeper Reflection

The story's ending leaves much to the reader’s interpretation. While Helen doesn't explicitly apologize or overtly change her behavior, the ending suggests a dawning awareness within her. The weight of the unspoken, the lingering image of the Burnells' quiet dignity, and the subtle shift in her gaze suggest a growing awareness of her complicity in the exclusion. The silence, in this case, is more impactful than any verbal expression of remorse.

Internal Conflict: A Struggle with Societal Norms

Helen's internal conflict lies in the tension between her ingrained social conditioning and the nascent empathy she's begun to develop. The story's power lies in its ability to capture this internal struggle, suggesting that the process of challenging societal norms and ingrained biases is a complex and often gradual one. The possibility of future actions—actions that actively counter the social exclusion she witnessed—remains open-ended.

Beyond Breaking a Doll: The Broader Theme of Empathy

While the act of breaking a doll is not present in the story, the narrative’s impact lies in its exploration of Helen's potential transformation through experiencing and witnessing the exclusion of others. The breaking of a doll could be interpreted as a symbolic act of destruction, mirroring the destruction of social harmony and empathy caused by class-based prejudice.

The Power of Observation and Reflection

The story's focus on Helen's observation and internal reflection underscores the importance of personal growth and the potential for positive change. It implies that exposure to different perspectives and the ability to empathize with those who are different can foster profound shifts in attitude and behavior.

The Long-Term Implications: A Hopeful Outlook

While the story concludes without a definitive resolution, the ending suggests a potential for future positive change. Helen's internal conflict opens the possibility for future actions that actively challenge the societal norms she has witnessed and passively participated in. This hopeful outlook emphasizes the potential for personal growth and the importance of continuous reflection.

Conclusion: The Seeds of Empathy Planted

The story of Helen and the doll's house isn't simply a tale of social exclusion. It's a powerful exploration of how even young children can be shaped by societal norms and the potential for transformation through observation, empathy, and internal reflection. Although the story doesn’t explicitly involve Helen breaking a doll, its thematic resonance with acts of destruction lies in the destruction of social harmony and empathetic connections, and its ultimate message lies in the subtle yet significant change within Helen's young heart – a change that promises the potential for a future where empathy triumphs over prejudice and exclusion. The seeds of empathy have been planted, and the possibility of their blossoming remains a testament to the enduring power of Mansfield's storytelling. The story’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to resonate with readers on a deeply human level, prompting reflection on our own biases and the potential for growth and transformation within ourselves. The potential change in Helen’s attitude is a testament to the enduring power of empathy and the possibility of positive change, even in the face of ingrained societal structures.