A developing character is a character who during the course of a story undergoes a permanent change in some aspect of moral qualities, personal traits, or out look. The change may be large or small; it may be positive or negative, but it is something significant and basic, not some minor change of habit or opinion. In Katherine Mansfield’s short story “Miss Brill,” Miss Brill is a developing character.
As a developing character, Miss Brill is forced to face the reality of who she is, where she comes from, and what others think of her. Miss Brill does not think of herself as old, but in reality, she is quite old. Miss Brill has a routine that she follows every Sunday. She leaves the house at the exact same time. When she arrives at the park she sits on the same bench. After leaving the park Miss Brill would stop at the same bakery to buy a piece of honey cake. In addition to the routine, Miss Brill also feels tingling in her hands and arms; she thinks it is from walking, but in reality, it is just old age. Miss Brill is also is alone. She has no friends or family and no one for companionship. She is in France, yet she teaches the English Language to English speaking students. Language is a barrier isolating her from the outside

Miss Brill is a symbol of the theme of the short story. Isolated elderly people, unsupported by a network of family and friends, may make a satisfying adjustment through a pleasant fantasy life, but when their fantasy is punctured by the cold claw of reality, the effect can be devastating. Miss Brill lives in a fantasy world because she feels her life is not exciting. She lives her life through other people because she feels alone. Miss Brill has no family or friends. When she is forced to see herself as others see her,

tside world. Also, Miss Brill is poor. Although she does not think she is poor, the way she lives her life proves otherwise. All that Miss Brill has is an old fur that is not worth very much. She also finds free entertainment by going to concerts in the park and eavesdropping on other people’s conversations. A woman of this age should be retired, but in fact, she is teaching English to students and reading the paper to a man in the park for income. In addition, Miss Brill’s home is quite small and not very expensive. Finally, a piece of honey cake is all she treats herself to once a week, and if she gets an almond on the top, it makes her happy. Miss Brill is not wealthy. Miss Brill could also be described as a naïve individual. She could not understand why the man denied the woman considering she was dressed in flashy clothes and was very beautiful. What Miss Brill fails to realize is that the woman is a prostitute. The fur that miss Brill wears to the park symbolizes Miss Brill. In a sense, they are exactly alike. The fur comes out of its box on