Miss Brill

"But today she passed the baker's by, climbed the stairs, went into the little dark room- her room like a cupboard- and sat down on the red eiderdown...She unclasped the necklet quickly; quickly, without looking, laid it inside. But when she put the lid on she thought she heard something crying."

I completely misinterpreted this story when I first read it, and I did not understand how the story had a plot, much less a theme. After another read, more details became apparent, and I began to understand Miss Brill. She is a foreigner, teaching English. From the conversation between the young couple, she might be in France. Since she is in a strange land, she is trying to fit in with the community. To accomplish this, she puts on her favorite fur and goes out into the park to listen to people. Although she is an English teacher by profession, she also considers herself to be an actress. She listens and watches people, taking in the smallest details. Miss Brill reflects on how everyone acts in public, like they are in a play. She watches their performance, enjoying the scenes before her. Her actions directly tie into the theme of her not fitting into the community. Even though she tries so hard to be accepted, Miss Brill is rejected by the community. She passes up her customary almond cake, dejectedly putting her fur away. Her prized fur was mocked by the people of the community, making Miss Brill realize that she would not be accepted.