The Voyage by Catherine Mansfield Essay Example

'neat sausage', 'tiny boy', and baby fly reinforces the child's perspective from which she tells the story. The syntax of the text is in normal written English, with the only notable feature being the separation of subject and verb by interposing dependent clauses - for example, 'Men, their caps pulled down, their collars turned up, swung by'. This adds variety to her sentence construction. Overall, Mansfield's writing maintains a rhythm throughout.

The author's prose conveys a feeling of briskness and liveliness to capture the busyness of the scene. This is accomplished by utilizing different sentence lengths, with the first being short and the second longer, divided into two parts that mimic the structure of the initial sentence. Moreover, parallelism is employed through repeating a specific structure: 'adjective + adjective + noun'. The text also includes a simile, comparing something to "a baby fly that had fallen into the cream".

The text highlights various literary techniques used by Mansfield in the story. The first one is a direct comparison between the small baby boy and a fly. Another technique used is onomatopoeia, as seen in the phrase 'crackling black Ulster' where the words mimic the sound they describe. Additionally, anthropomorphism is present when the swan's-head-handled umbrella gives Fenella a 'sharp little peck' on the shoulder, treating an inanimate object as if it were alive. This technique is fitting since the story is narrated from a child's perspective. Lastly, Mansfield employs alliteration multiple times throughout the text.

The use of repetition in the phrases ‘crackling black Ulster’ and ‘white wooly shawl’ creates a specific sound pattern. Additionally, the tone of this passage can be

described as light, brisk, and somewhat playful, reflecting the author's attitude towards the subject. This tone is appropriate because it allows readers to see the world from a child’s perspective.

The narrative mode is the traditional way of storytelling, where a third person omniscient narrator is involved. In this mode, Fenella is referred to as 'she' and Katherine Mansfield, the storyteller, does not directly address the reader as 'I'. Mansfield possesses complete knowledge of her characters' thoughts and emotions which qualifies her understanding as 'omniscient'. The only possible narrator in this case is Katherine Mansfield herself since she doesn't introduce another character to act as an intermediary between her and the reader.

Characterisation is a technique used by authors in some stories where they create a fictional narrator who both tells the story and becomes a character within it. This technique allows for the revelation of significant information about the characters through short extracts. For instance, in this particular story, the line 'grandma bustled along' implies that she is an energetic older woman, which is later confirmed by events in the narrative. Furthermore, the descriptions of the umbrella, the little boy, and Fenella's 'little skip' all work together to establish her as a young girl.

The text emphasizes that Mansfield, as the narrator, does not explicitly state that Fenella is a young girl. Instead, readers must deduce this fact from the limited details provided. Additionally, the information about the characters is gradually revealed throughout the story. Thus, readers are responsible for piecing together these fragments themselves. The narrative's perspective is primarily from Fenella's point of view, as indicated by various small details

such as the swan's head umbrella peck and the boy resembling a fly. These details present the events of the story from Fenella's perspective and how she would perceive them.

This is a significant aspect of prose fiction. Drama is created by the ambiguity surrounding the events in the story. On first reading, it is difficult to comprehend the full context of the extract. However, upon revisiting it with prior knowledge, we can deduce that the father is anxious due to his upcoming separation from his mother and daughter. The grandmother, on the other hand, is in a hurry as she has the responsibility of taking Fenella to her new life. Meanwhile, Fenella is preoccupied with observing her surroundings.

Notice a small (and dramatic) detail of the world she sees. The little boy is being ‘jerked along angrily between his father and mother’ [my emphasis]: that is, the way some adults treat their children is not so pleasant. "The Voyage is a story about the transition from dark to light, and from childhood to adulthood.” Please discuss this statement and refer to symbols and imagery used in the text. The Voyage is a short story written by Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923) in 1921.

The story centers on the themes of travel, change, growth, and moving on. Fenella, a young girl, says goodbye to her father at the harbor with her grandmother. They start their journey on the Picton boat. Unfortunately, Fenella is saddened by her mother's recent death, which creates a gloomy mood. When they arrive at their destination, Mr. Penreddy welcomes them and drives them to their grandparents' house.

In this

text, we explore the symbols and imagery in "The Voyage," a story that depicts the journey from darkness to light and childhood to adulthood. The incorporation of colors in different scenarios enhances the narrative and engages readers' creativity. Furthermore, understanding the context may require reading beneath the surface.

By following this color scheme, we can improve our understanding of the story. We will interpret it differently and notice actions, dialogue, and subtle details that we missed before. Most importantly, we will see the story from a completely new perspective. Mansfield was inspired by impressionist painters like Van Gogh. By studying Van Gogh's artistic techniques, she found creative ways to express her thoughts and ideas. Impressionism is based on capturing impressions, which can represent concepts, emotions, or viewpoints about something or someone.

The impressionist painters focused on depicting light and colors in their artworks. They found that shadows in nature have their own distinct color, influenced by the intensity and nature of sunlight. The story's initial atmosphere is somber and melancholic, primarily due to Fenella's mother's death and her separation from her father as she accompanies her grandmother on the boat. Mansfield employs various instances where colors serve as a crucial means of expression.

The author uses color contrasts to convey a message in the story. For example, the description of a tiny boy's black arms and legs against a white shawl signifies hope and forthcoming change. This subtle hint suggests that white symbolizes something positive and indicates an upcoming positive event. The narrative begins by depicting the Old Wharf as dark, with structures like wool sheds, cattle trucks, cranes, and a small

railway engine seemingly carved out of solid darkness.

The dark wharf represents Fenella's sorrowful history. When the Picton boat arrives, there is a notable transformation: "Resting next to the dark wharf, adorned with shining golden lights that resemble beads, the Picton boat appears as though it is ready to voyage among the stars rather than into the chilling sea." The boat holds significance as it unlocks a fresh chapter in Fenella's life, serving as a symbol of hope. Previously, everything appeared gloomy, but upon the boat's arrival at the harbor, the presence of radiant golden lights reminiscent of beautiful stars illuminates the surroundings.

The initial cause for the somber atmosphere in the story remains unclear, as lengthy explanations are avoided. Instead, imagery is employed to convey information about Fenella's late mother. This approach allows the reader to experience sensory impressions through Fenella's visual observations, auditory perceptions, physical sensations, scents, and tastes. For instance, the narrator depicts Fenella gazing sadly at her grandmother's black clothing and her own attire consisting of a black coat, skirt, blouse, and hat adorned with a crape rose.

Fenella's mother's death is indicated by the wearing of black clothes. As Fenella and her grandmother travel on the Picton boat, a noticeable shift occurs. This change is evident in the increasing vibrancy of colors present. For instance, a description mentions how "the fringe of grey bobbles danced at her eyebrows as she smiled tenderly and mournfully at Fenella." Additionally, there is a mention of a bar of brown soap that fails to lather and water in a bottle resembling blue jelly.

And "It was a small grey

foot. " In order to portray Fenella's new beginnings, Mansfield depicts the morning they arrive in Picton by stating: "The lamp was still burning, but night was over (…) " Fenella and her grandmother begin to realize that things are about to change as they reflect on their recent sadness and wonder if it will change. The colors become increasingly vibrant as Fenella and her grandmother approach Cook Strait. "And those strange silvery withered trees that are like skeletons…" is how Mansfield describes the trees at the harbor.

The grandmother's appearance on the deck is characterized by blue cheeks, a trembling chin, and tears in her eyes and nose from the cold. When they arrive at the grandparent's house, the description of the surroundings continues to be lively with phrases like "Up a little path of round white pebbles" and "Grandma's delicate white picotees were so heavy with dew," which describe the grandparent's garden.

When Fenella enters the grandparents' house, she observes a white cat on the table in the dim sitting-room. The cat was folded up like a camel but then stood up, stretched, and yawned before leaping on its tiptoes. Later, when Fenella encounters her grandfather, she describes him as having a white tuft on his head, a rosy face, and a long silver beard visible above the quilt. These various colors throughout the story highlight the transformation that Fenella is undergoing. The imagery of moving from darkness to light symbolizes her journey from childhood to adulthood.

In comparing Fenella's childhood to darkness and her process of becoming an adult to light, the journey on the Picton boat serves

as a symbolic transition from childhood to adulthood. While Fenella's exact age is uncertain, her perception of the world and reactions to situations reveal that she is still quite young. For instance, when Fenella and her grandmother depart from the harbor, she mistakenly believes that it is the wharf moving away from them rather than the boat.

Another example that showcases Fenella's great and childlike imagination is the comparison of her luggage with a neat sausage in the line, "As well as her luggage strapped into a neat sausage (...)" The story also includes another significant symbol, the grandmother's umbrella. Throughout the narrative, the grandmother entrusts Fenella with taking care of the umbrella. This symbolizes Fenella's growing sense of responsibility and her ability to handle things on her own. In Picton, when the grandmother doesn't even need to mention the word 'umbrella', Fenella immediately understands and responds with, "You've got my--" followed by the word 'umbrella' left unsaid as Fenella completes the phrase with, "Yes, grandma."

Fenella and her grandmother are sitting in their small cabin when Fenella witnesses her grandmother undressing. This strange sight leaves Fenella speechless as she struggles to describe the situation, stating, “Then she undid her bodice, and something under that, and something else underneath that.” After finishing undressing, Fenella puts on her flannel dressing-gown and asks if she should remove her boots.

The grandmother advises Fenella, saying "You'd feel a great deal more comfortable if you did, child," but ultimately allows her to make her own decision. This highlights Fenella's gradual transition into adulthood. At the conclusion of the story, a wise quote by Horace Mann,

an American man, perfectly summarizes the tale: "Lost! One Golden Hour Set with Sixty Diamond Minutes. No Reward Is Offered For It Is Gone For Ever!" This quote is prominently displayed in a deep black frame above the grandparents' bed.

The main concept conveyed in this quote is the significance of embracing the present moment and maximizing our current circumstances. Time is an invaluable asset that cannot be recovered once lost, therefore it should not be squandered during our existence on Earth. The quote further underscores the importance of progressing forward and avoiding fixation on the past. As a character, Fenella must release her sorrows and forge ahead. The hour is likened to gold and the minutes to diamonds, emphasizing their immense worth.

In summary, Katherine Mansfield utilizes colors in her writing to convey emotions and reinforce her concepts. The quotes from the short story that I have included in this essay illustrate how The Voyage depicts a shift from darkness to brightness and from youth to maturity. Mansfield's incorporation of color in literature was influenced by impressionist painters, particularly Van Gogh. Ultimately, perhaps we should focus on enjoying the present moment rather than dwelling on the past, as a new chapter begins for Fenella.