(Cross-posted at A Curious Singularity.)

I read Katherine Mansfield’s “At the Bay” before bed last night, so please the forgive the half-baked post—the story is still settling.

The thing that struck me most about the story was the contrast, especially between the childrens’ light-hearted innocence and the adults’ world-weary outlook. The children in “At the Bay” (and, indeed, children in general) often take immortality for granted, as illustrated by Kezia’s conversation with her grandmother.

“Does everybody have to die?” asked Kezia.”Everybody!”

“Me?” Kezia sounded fearfully incredulous.

“Some day, my darling.”

“But, grandma.” Kezia waved her left leg and waggled the toes. They felt sandy. “What if I just won’t?”

The old woman sighed again and drew a long thread from the ball.

“We’re not asked, Kezia,” she said sadly. “It happens to all of us sooner or later.”

Kezia lay still thinking this over. She didn’t want to die. It meant she would have to leave here, leave everywhere, for ever, leave—leave her grandma. She rolled over quickly.

“Grandma,” she said in a startled voice.

“What, my pet!”

“You’re not to die.” Kezia was very decided.

“Ah, Kezia”—her grandma looked up and smiled and shook her head—”don’t let’s talk about it.”

“But you’re not to. You couldn’t leave me. You couldn’t not be there.” This was awful. “Promise me you won’t ever do it, grandma,” pleaded Kezia.

Aren’t children’s whims, from their belief in Santa Claus to their conviction that they’ll live forever, a part of their charm? It would seem that, through contrast, Mansfield is illustrating the gradual loss of innocence everyone goes through. The characters in “At the Bay” are shown at various stages of life, from childhood to old age, with everyone struggling through common problems. The children are blissfully unaware of the outside world’s realities; their biggest concern is deciding which animals to imitate during a card game. But the adults, saddled with concerns about family, work, and romance, already know that adulthood comes with a lot of regret.