Point of View and Narration

"Marriage á la Mode" is told primarily from William's point of view, but the story does shift to Isabel's point of view to make its final statement. The story opens with William's thoughts as he boards the train in London. He is concerned with buying a gift for his children and wonders about his upcoming meeting with Isabel. Such an opening clearly demonstrates that family is most important to William. This long scene can be compared to his meeting with Isabel, whose conversation revolves more around her friends. In a sense, Isabel even negates the children by refusing to give them the fruit William purchased for them, instead keeping it to share with her friends. The brief weekend continues to be funneled through William's point of view, which is effective because it allows Mansfield to depict William as he truly is amongst Isabel's circle...