Symbolism is a significant literacy technique used in this short story. The visual aid I use for the illustration of symbolism adopted by Mansfield is the screenshots I picked up from Simon Lewis's film Miss Brill.
(1) Fur:
At the very beginning of the story, it seems very like that Miss Brill is having a conversation with her fur. The fur looks funny and old-fashioned from others' perspectives but gorgeous and fashionable from Miss Brill's perspective. This story ends with her putting back the fur to the original box and the fur's destination is pretty much like Miss Brill's, i.e., going back to the original locked, shabby and small place.
(2) Ermine Toque:
The once-fine and already faded fur just parallels the greyness of those of the woman sitting on the "special" seat and it finally turns out that of Miss Brill herself.
(3) Orchestra:
Miss Brill's mood and emotion is reflected and also echoed by the orchestra's performance. In this week's Sunday afternoon, the band plays loudly and gayly at the very beginning, softly and gayly when the author is describing the foreshadowing about the ermine toque and pretty sadly right before she realizes the real situation in society.
(4) Fried Whiting:
Different from other symbols, the fried whiting does not appear as a physical entity in the story. Fried whiting is "cooked", common and invisible in the public's eye. Just like the fried whiting, Miss Brill is common and unremarkable, ignored by people in society.
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