Miss Marsalles

1. a) In The Dance of The Shades, the first three sentences of the story achieve characterization through its brief descriptions of Miss Marsalles, as well as the narrator’s mother. For example, the story begins with the narrator questioning whether Marsalles decided to have another party because of her “musical integrity” or her “bold yearning for festivity”. In both regards, however, the narrator conveys her belief that Marsalles is a lonely yet positive woman, as she longs for interaction, which in this case is in the form of a party. Her words “musical” and “integrity” also collectively have interesting connotations. On one hand, the term "musical" is used not in its literal meaning, but as a way to describe the mentality of Marsalles:

pleasant, and maybe even harmonious. And on the other hand, integrity connotes to being true to oneself, and having principles. Tying the both together, one can say that the narrator is implying that Marsalles is overall someone who wishes to provide other people happiness, as per her set of principles perhaps. Also, when the narrator describes Marsalles as having a yearning for festivity, she implies that Marsalles is lonely in a way, as the word “yearn” itself describes a longing for something that isn’t currently present, which in this case is festivity. In addition to this, the mother of the narrator is described as “not an inventive or convincing liar”, in regard to her trying to make an excuse to not attend the party (for reasons unknown at this point). But in any regard, the implication becomes clear: her mother seems like an evasive but considerate person, as she does not want to insult Marsalles by saying she doesn’t want to attend. For these reasons, it becomes clear that the first three sentences imply a lot of about characterization of Marsalles as well as the narrator’s mother.

b) The first three sentences of the story establish conflict between the narrator’s mother and Marsalles. For example, when the narrator describes that her mother “is not an inventive liar”, she is probably alluding to making an excuse to avoid the party. That reason of avoiding the party is unknown at this point. But because an odd emphasis was placed on the beginning statement: “Miss Marsalles is having another party”, it can be assumed that it was done so to imply that the party will be boring, and maybe even repetitive, hence the word “another”. Therefore, these three sentences very well provide the backdrop for the conflict to later show itself in its full form.

2. The narrator oddly describes the older Miss Marsalles in quite heavy detail, leading the reader to assume that her role was much more significant than otherwise thought. In the beginning of the story, the older Marsalles is described as a language teacher, and that now she is in bed after having a stroke. In addition, she is described to be very similar in appearance to her younger sister, but being slight older, larger, and grimmer. Through these assertions, it very much becomes a possibility that Munro is trying to convey that there are some people who are never going to assimilate into “modern society” or even reality, but instead their maintain own traditions and desires. In addition, it also serves the possibility that Munro was trying to convey that although many people are not as expressive and positive as these two sisters, that’s not to say that none of them exist. The older Marsalles being mentioned also serves the possibility that this is actually the eventual fate of Marsalles: she will live a happy life, free from pressures (even though she is not financially secure), doing what she feels is right, and slowly pass away from this world. Alas, it is not too clear what the implications of the older Miss Marsalles being in the story really are, but one truly does recognize the heavy importance placed upon this.

3. For a number of reasons, Miss Marsalles very much emerges as a character with whom readers can empathize. One of the reasons has to do with Marsalles’ motive. Deep down, she believes she can see into children’s hearts. More specifically, she is described as “indestructibly” believing that “[a]ll children need music”, and that all of them “love music in their hearts”. Marsalles just wants children to grow healthy and happily, just in her perspective. And besides, there really is no harm in throwing parties for children where everyone can enjoy and relax. That really is one legitimate reason by which one can pity and empathize with Marsalles. The problem, however, arises in the eyes of Marsalles’ guests. They genuinely feel that she is not able to support these parties not only financially and physically, but emotionally, as she is overworking herself just to satisfy some fallacy in her mind. One strong example of this was when Mrs. Clegg, the narrator’s mother, and the narrator, examine the excess of food placed on the table. Right away, they notice that the sandwiches and little iced cakes Marsalles had left on the table had likely been there for hours, as Clegg recounts that “[she desperately] tried to tell [Marsalles] not to put [the food] all out ahead of time”. This is not only confusing and irritating to the characters of the story, but also pulls the heart strings of the readers, as they recognize how much pressure she faces to please her guests. And finally, one of the most prominent reasons readers can sympathize with Marsalles for having these parties is because she is an old woman. She is close to passing away, and so she may feel that she needs to provide as much as she can before she goes away. This is demonstrated when she invited special needs students from Greenhill School to her party, surprising, and even angering, everyone who attended. She did not need to invite these “outsiders”, but perhaps felt that doing so would set a mark that would send a message that she was more than just a crazy old woman, but someone who was accepting, and willing to stay strong for who she was. But more importantly, she gave these children a chance to shine, an opportunity that wouldn’t necessarily be given to them in the real world. For these reasons, it is without a doubt true that Marsalles is very much a character that emerges as a character with whom readers can empathize, as her actions and mindset towards situations are very humane and considerate in nature.

4. The theme of this story is to never judge someone for what they are incapable of doing. An example in this story that supports this theme is what follows after the special-needs kids first enter Marsalles’ party room. What happens is very disturbing: everyone get disgusted, as they are not normally used to being with kids of this kind, and frown upon themselves for attending this party as they feel it will get just worse. Even the narrator, who is arguably the most sensible at the party, tells herself that she didn’t know that she was going to attend a “procession” of “little idiots”. However, what they do not realize is that these children have hidden talents in one way or another. In one case, the parents at the party were just waiting for the kids to play the piano, and get the whole party done and through with, but one special needs girl really surprised them. She played extremely beautifully, and ultimately surprised everyone, as they thought these kids were as dumb as rocks. This connects extremely well with one of the most prominent example of imagery, the title, as well as the song played: The Dance of the Happy Shades. This example of imagery is also metaphorical in a way, as it doesn’t really connote to shades dancing but rather, the fact that shades are usually seen as lifeless, and not happy. And the fact that they are dancing also is very interesting, because it is conveying that sometimes things like shades, (that are unexpected to be lively, if they could be personified) can in fact dance, or be happy in other words. In the same way, this connects to the special needs kids, as they weren’t expected to have any talents, but really did, ultimately showing that everyone and everything has something special about them in one way or another. For these reasons, the title of the story in its form of imagery really does prove that one should never judge someone for what they are incapable of doing.

5. The effect of Munro having a character as a narrator is significant. More specifically, it is told through a teenage girl, which not only adds a fresh perspective, but one that adds depth. One example of this could be when the special needs kids attended the party. Right away, she really noticed that everyone resented Marsalles for allowing these kids attend, as they all let our shrugs, and were genuinely disgusted. Even the narrator expressed her disgust in an odd way, as she carefully examined and described the irregularities of the physical features of these kids. This adds depth to the story, as it is told through the mindset of someone who is childish, and at the same time very mature, as she is able to express and observe the actions of other people around her in quite some detail. In addition, she often included a detailed opinion about the situation she was dealing with, ultimately adding a fresh perspective to the story. One example of this was when she expressed that she is not exactly repelled by the special needs kids, but particularly upset that she was invited to a “procession” of “little idiots”. By doing so, she not only expresses her distaste for the special needs kids, but also allows the reader to sympathize with her as it is told in first person, where things are seen in one person’s shoes. Therefore, the effect of Munro having a character is significant, as it not only provides a fresh perspective but also adds depth to the story.

6.

The only surprising moment of this story was when the special needs girl really surprised all the guests, doing a tremendous job on the piano, playing the song The Dance of the Happy Shades. This really surprised all Marsalles’ guests, but Marsalles, being the woman she was, just smiled and clapped for the girl, as she was the one who taught her to play the piano that well. And after that event took place, one has a much clearer view of not only Marsalles and the narrator as characters, but the story as a whole. Marsalles, for one, is now viewed as someone who looks for not appearance or beauty, but for what’s inside: someone’s true talents and identity. In addition, Marsalles seems like she understand what life is really about, as she appreciates everyone for who they are, regardless of the fact that the special needs kids were mentally disabled. One can also view the narrator differently. For one, the narrator’s impression on the girl was very much indicative of what all the other guests felt: they all felt that she was going to fail miserably, as she didn’t even seem human in their eyes. This could very well lead us to the assumption that she is very much is part of the “larger society”, in that she doesn’t view people with disabilities as real humans, but perhaps another race. However, towards the end of the story, one can take a different view on the narrator. She readily admits that the performance was very well done, and even questions if it was a trick played on her to make her feel stupid for judging by appearance. So in the end, she really does admit that she was wrong in a sense, that one should not judge someone on appearance, but rather take the approach that Marsalles takes. For these reasons, this moment really gave readers a better understand of not only Marsalles and the narrator, but the story as a

whole.