MRS. MANSTEY'S VIEW (Stories)
This is a short story by Edith Wharton, an American novelist and short story writer. The story revolves around Mrs. Manstey, an elderly woman who lives in a boarding house run by Mrs. Sampson. Mrs. Manstey is a quiet and solitary person who keeps to herself, but she has a deep connection with the view from her window, which includes a beautiful spire and a magnolia tree. The story takes a dramatic turn when Mrs. Manstey sets fire to the balcony of the house next door, owned by Mrs. Black, in an attempt to destroy it. The fire is put out, but not before causing some damage. Mrs. Manstey is found to be ill with pneumonia as a result of her actions, and she eventually dies. Throughout the story, Wharton explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human desire for connection and beauty. Mrs. Manstey's obsession with the view from her window serves as a symbol of her longing for something more in life. The story also touches on the idea that even in death, there can be a sense of peace and resolution. The writing style is characteristic of Wharton's work, with a focus on detailed descriptions of setting and character. The use of imagery and symbolism adds depth and complexity to the narrative, making it a rich and thought-provoking read.
By Edith Wharton · First published 1930 · Genre: Short Stories, Realism, Drama · 5,680 words
First lines
The view from Mrs. Manstey's window was not a striking one, but to her at least it was full of interest and beauty. Mrs. Manstey occupied the back room on the third floor of a New York boarding-house, in a street where the ash-barrels lingered late on the sidewalk and the gaps in the pavement would have staggered a Quintus Curtius. She was the widow of a clerk in a large wholesale house, and his death had left her alone, for her only daughter had married in California, and could not afford the long journey to New York to see her mother. Mrs. Manstey, perhaps, might have joined her daughter in the West, but they had now been so many years apart that they had ceased to feel any need of each other's society, and their intercourse had long been limited to the exchange of a few perfunctory letters, written with indifference by the daughter, and with difficulty by Mrs. Manstey, whose right hand was growing stiff with gout. Even had she felt a stronger desire for her daughter's companionship, Mrs. Manstey's increasing infirmity, which caused her to dread the three flights of stairs between her room and the street, would have given her pause on the eve of undertaking so long a journey; and without perhaps, formulating these reasons she had long since accepted as a matter of course her solitary life in New York.
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MRS. MANSTEY'S VIEW (Stories) is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Wharton, dated 1930 CE.
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- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edith Wharton
- Date: 1930 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Realism, Drama, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 5,680 words
- Structure: 1 section, 69 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
- The Dilettante Stories by Edith Wharton
- An Inspiration by O. Henry
- Dusk by Hector Hugh Munro
- An Odd Character by O. Henry
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- A Trifle From Life by Anton Chekhov
Genres
- Short Stories — The work is a collection of brief, self-contained narratives.
- Realism — The narrative focuses on everyday experiences and circumstances, with detailed descriptions of the ordinary life and characters.
- Drama — The work explores human experiences and emotional responses, often involving conflict and resolution.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the mental and emotional states of the characters, exploring their thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
Tags
Short Stories · American Literature · 20th Century Fiction · Social Commentary · Women Authors · Upper Class Life · Marriage and Relationships · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Satire · Humor · Wit