Katherine Mansfield's 'Prelude' : The Meaning of Aloe

Abstract

In "Prelude" by Katherine Mansfield, the relationship among three women from generation to generation-a grandmother a mother, and a daughter-is symbolized by the plant, aloe. A daughter is given birth to the world from her mother's body (or womb) and grows up by immitating her mother unconsciously. Similarly, her mother was given birth from her grandmother and immitated her. This is the pattern of women's life from generation to generation. In this story, Kezia bears a likeness to her mother, Linda, in some points. Finally, all three women are fascinated by the aloe. Like this, there is a strong likeness among them, both in likes and in dislikes. That is to say, a daughter grows up with the likeness of her mother as the new leaf of the aloe grows up in the similitude of the former leaf one after another. The pattern of three women's life, from a grandmother to a mother, and from a mother to a daughter, is symbolized by the aloe.