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In the short story “The Doll’s House”, Katherine Mansfield uses the symbolism in the plot, the setting in rural, New Zealand, and characterization to present the problem of prejudice. All of these elements work together to present the theme. Going against the grain of prejudice can bring people and cultures together. This story was set in the South Pacific Ocean in rural New Zealand. Mansfield grew up here and at a time when class differences were much more pronounced than today. In this small town, with only one school, the rich and poor must take their children to the same school. The two families focused on in this story are: the Burnell’s, a rich, upper-class family, and the Kelvey’s, a poor family. The Burnell’s were brought up to be treated and act like they were better than those less fortunate. One day, a surprise for the Burnell’s showed up, a dollhouse. They ‘oohed’ and ‘awed’ like something they had never seen before. As they opened the unusual door on the house the whole top opened up to see its magnificence. This dollhouse was only for them to see and their