Miss Brill, the narrator of the story, goes to the "Jardines Publiques" [Public Gardens] during "the Season". She wears a fur coat and sits in her usual spot. She watches the lives of others unfold. An elderly couple sit on the bench next to her, but don't speak, children play and couples reunite. She comes to the realization that everything going on around her is a play and she is an actress. Then a young couple sit next to her, and make speak rudely of her. She leaves quickly, going home without getting her usual bread. She puts her coat away and is crying.
I thought that Miss Brill was young, at first. Nursing an older man, possibly her father, or maybe she is a nurse helping a rich elderly man. I find her strange, so interested in the lives of others, and they don't even pay attention to her. By the end of the story I finally pieced together who Miss Brill is. I believe she is an elderly English teacher whose husband she nursed until he died, and seeks the comfort and joy of people so she goes to the park and watches them. The story was very sad and I really didn't like the young couple that was very mean to her.
Thank you Kailey. Good comments. #22 for you.
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