Literary Analysis Of Rosemary's Rose

The opening of the story is filled with literary devices that setup and outline the rest of the story. The first two words are the protagonists name, and they establish the standard of words having hidden meanings. The main character's name is “Rosemary Fell” (Mansfield 522). The first part of her name, rose, is expensive, high maintenance and full of thorns. The second part of her first name, mary, refers to the Virgin Mary, therefore, pure, maternal and miraculous. Her last name, fell, meaning cruel, is her marital name, thus is inherited from her husband. The story is also packed with irony that originates in the opening. Rosemary is ironically described as “not exactly beautiful” (Mansfield 522). This is ironic because she does not even …show more content…
On Curzon Street, Rosemary meets a young woman who asks for the price of a cup of tea. After a moment of consideration, Rosemary invites Miss Smith home for a cup of tea. Miss Smith is startled and distressed, but finally she goes with Rosemary. In an effort to relax the uneasy Miss Smith, Rosemary assures, “Don't be frightened. After all, why shouldn't you come back with me? We're both women” (Mansfield 524). Rosemary uses their shared womanhood as a source of comfort and for less intimidation. Upon entering Rosemary's house, the women progress into Rosemary's room. Attempting to assume power, Rosemary persuades, “You mustn't be frightened, you mustn't, really. Sit down” (Mansfield 524). Rosemary portrays her power by causing people do as she declares. Rosemary wants Miss Smith to understand their shared womanhood as an implication to do what she instructs. Separately, Miss Smith concentrates on only Philip, Rosemary's husband. When Philip addresses Miss Smith, she responds with her “big eyes were raised to him” (Mansfield 525). Miss Smith interprets her shared womanhood with Rosemary to be a competition for …show more content…
The name of the procrastinator is “Rosemary” (Mansfield 522). Mary refers to the Virgin Mary who is the mother of Jesus. This sets up the theme of motherhood. The story refers to breasts multiple times, for they are the place from which motherly nurturing and nutrients comes from. When Rosemary is attempting to calm Miss Smith she pressures her into a chair, and “gently she half pushed the thin figure into its deep cradle” (Mansfield 524). The thin brush draws connections to Rosemary’s motherhood using words such as