The Doll House

Words: 625
Pages: 3

“The Dollhouse” is a modern short story. I know this because it follows the criteria of one. The first on the list is it emphasizes subtle characterization rather than fast-paced plot. It does this by introducing you to two sets of sisters, the Burnells and the Kelveys. There is a big difference in the two relationships that the story makes very clear to the reader. The Burnell sisters are from a wealthier family and have a competitive relationship. A description of their relationship in the story is “There was nothing to answer. Isabel was bossy, but she always right, and Lottie and Kezia knew too well the powers that went with being the oldest.” Isabel was in charge of everything including who saw the doll house and when, while Lottie and Kezia were kind of in the background of things. This is very different from the Kelvey sisters who come from a poor family but have a very close bond. These two sisters are so close that their relationship is described in one simple sentence in the story; “The Kelveys never failed to understand each other.” The two sisters walked around and did …show more content…
The story doesn’t just state some things, instead they are just made obvious or implied. For example, the older kids were especially mean to the Kelveys because of the difference in social ranking, while Kezia who is younger has some empathy for them and tries to be kind. This implies that the children are taught to differentiate the social class and not to respect anyone below them as they grow up and it’s not just an instinct. Examples of them being taught are in the story, like “Lil gasped, then she said ‘Your ma told our ma you wasn’t to speak to us.” Then again while Kezia is showing the Kelveys the dollhouse and Aunt Beryl comes out and says “You know just as well as I do, you’re not allowed to talk to them. Run away children, run away at once and don’t come back