“Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield

“Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield was first published in 1920 in the collection Bliss and Other Stories. The poem exemplifies Mansfield’s characteristic style, encapsulating a transient moment of beauty and introspection within a nocturnal garden setting. The fragrance of night-scented stock evokes a sense of mystery and hidden depths, mirroring the intricacies of human emotions. The poem’s concise form and evocative language foster an intimate atmosphere, inviting readers to partake in the speaker’s quiet contemplation of nature and the passage of time. Mansfield’s utilization of sensory images and subtle symbolism enriches the poem, allowing for individual interpretations within its delicate verses.

Text: “Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield

White, white in the milky night
The moon danced over a tree.
“Wouldn’t it be lovely to swim in the lake!”
Someone whispered to me.

“Oh, do-do-do!” cooed someone else,
And clasped her hands to her chin.
“I should so love to see the white bodies—
All the white bodies jump in!”

The big dark house hid secretly
Behind the magnolia and the spreading pear-tree;
But there was a sound of music—music rippled and ran
Like a lady laughing behind her fan,
Laughing and mocking and running away…
“Come into the garden—it’s as light as day!”

“I can’t dance to that Hungarian stuff,
The rhythm in it is not passionate enough,”
Said somebody.  “I absolutely refuse….”
But he took off his socks and his shoes
And round he spun.  “It’s like Hungarian fruit dishes
Hard and bright—a mechanical blue!”
His white feet flicked in the grass like fishes…
Someone cried:  “I want to dance, too!”

But one with a queer Russian ballet head
Curled up on a blue wooden bench instead.
And another, shadowy—shadowy and tall—
Walked in the shadow of the dark house wall,
Someone beside her.  It shone in the gloom,
His round grey hat, like a wet mushroom.

“Don’t you think perhaps…” piped someone’s flute.
“How sweet the flowers smell!”  I heard the other say.
Somebody picked a wet, wet pink,
Smelled it and threw it away.
“Is the moon a virgin or is she a harlot?”
Asked somebody.  Nobody would tell.
The faces and the hands moved in a pattern
As the music rose and fell,
In a dancing, mysterious, moon-bright pattern
Like flowers nodding under the sea…

The music stopped and there was nothing left of them
But the moon dancing over the tree.

Annotations: “Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield

Stanza	Text	Annotations
1	White, white in the milky night/ The moon danced over a tree./ “Wouldn’t it be lovely to swim in the lake!”/ Someone whispered to me.	The scene is set in a moonlit night. The imagery of “white” suggests brightness and purity. Someone expresses a desire to swim, evoking a sense of longing or whimsy.
2	“Oh, do-do-do!” cooed someone else,/ And clasped her hands to her chin./ “I should so love to see the white bodies—/ All the white bodies jump in!”	Playful and innocent dialogue about the desire to witness others swimming. Emphasis on the visual scene and excitement.
3	The big dark house hid secretly/ Behind the magnolia and the spreading pear-tree;/ But there was a sound of music—music rippled and ran/ Like a lady laughing behind her fan,	Contrast between the hidden house and the lively music. Imagery of laughter and secrecy, adding an element of mystery.
4	Laughing and mocking and running away…/ “Come into the garden—it’s as light as day!”	Invitation to join the garden where it’s bright, contrasting with the hidden, dark house.
5	“I can’t dance to that Hungarian stuff,/ The rhythm in it is not passionate enough,”/ Said somebody. “I absolutely refuse….”/ But he took off his socks and his shoes	Discussion about music preferences. Despite initial reluctance, someone joins in, shedding inhibitions.
6	And round he spun. “It’s like Hungarian fruit dishes/ Hard and bright—a mechanical blue!”/ His white feet flicked in the grass like fishes…	Imaginative description of dancing, likening it to Hungarian flavors.
7	Someone cried: “I want to dance, too!”	Expression of desire to join the dancing.
8	But one with a queer Russian ballet head/ Curled up on a blue wooden bench instead.	Mention of someone observing rather than participating, perhaps with a distinct artistic sensibility.
9	And another, shadowy—shadowy and tall—/ Walked in the shadow of the dark house wall,/ Someone beside her. It shone in the gloom,	Description of figures moving in shadows near the dark house, adding an eerie or mysterious tone.
10	His round grey hat, like a wet mushroom.	Vivid simile describing a person’s hat, enhancing the scene’s visual detail.
11	“Don’t you think perhaps…” piped someone’s flute./ “How sweet the flowers smell!” I heard the other say.	Shift to noticing fragrances and subtle conversations among participants.
12	Somebody picked a wet, wet pink,/ Smelled it and threw it away.	A brief, sensory detail of someone interacting with flowers.
13	“Is the moon a virgin or is she a harlot?”/ Asked somebody. Nobody would tell.	Playful or provocative question about the moon’s nature, left unanswered.
14	The faces and the hands moved in a pattern/ As the music rose and fell,/ In a dancing, mysterious, moon-bright pattern/ Like flowers nodding under the sea…	Description of synchronized movements to music, evoking a mystical underwater scene.
15	The music stopped and there was nothing left of them/ But the moon dancing over the tree.	Conclusion with the imagery of the moon continuing to dance, suggesting the ephemeral nature of the gathering.

Literary and Poetic Devices in “Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield

Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	White, white in the milky night	Repetition of initial consonant sounds (“w” sound) for emphasis and rhythm.
Anaphora	Laughing and mocking and running away…	Repetition of the phrase “laughing and mocking and running away” for emphasis on continuous action.
Assonance	Hard and bright—a mechanical blue!	Repetition of vowel sounds (“a” sound in “hard” and “bright”) within nearby words.
Consonance	Music rippled and ran	Repetition of consonant sounds (“d” and “n” sounds) at the end of words for musical effect.
Enjambment	But there was a sound of music—music rippled and ran / Like a lady laughing behind her fan,	Continuation of a sentence across lines without a pause, enhancing flow and connection of ideas.
Hyperbole	“Come into the garden—it’s as light as day!”	Deliberate exaggeration to emphasize the brightness of the garden at night.
Imagery	His round grey hat, like a wet mushroom.	Use of descriptive language to create a sensory image, comparing the hat to a wet mushroom.
Metaphor	His round grey hat, like a wet mushroom.	Comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as” (hat to mushroom).
Onomatopoeia	Oh, do-do-do!	Use of words that imitate the sound they describe, expressing excitement or humming.
Oxymoron	Moon danced	Contradictory terms used together (“moon” and “danced”) to create a striking image.
Paradox	“It’s as light as day!”	Statement that seems contradictory but reveals deeper truth (bright night garden).
Personification	The moon danced over a tree.	Attribution of human qualities (dancing) to non-human entities (moon).
Repetition	White, white in the milky night	Repeated use of words or phrases for emphasis or rhythmic effect (“white” repeated).
Simile	Like flowers nodding under the sea…	Comparison using “like” or “as” between two unlike things (movement to flowers underwater).
Symbolism	The moon	Use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts beyond literal meaning (moon symbolizing mystery or change).
Synecdoche	White bodies	Use of a part to represent the whole (bodies representing people).
Tone	Varies throughout the poem from whimsical (“Oh, do-do-do!”) to mysterious (“In a dancing, mysterious, moon-bright pattern”).	Author’s attitude or feelings conveyed through the poem’s language and style.
Understatement	The big dark house hid secretly	Presentation of something as less significant or serious than it is (downplaying the house’s presence).
Verse	The entire poem is written in verse, consisting of lines with regular meter and rhyme.	Poetic form with structured lines, meter, and rhyme scheme.
Zoomorphism	His round grey hat, like a wet mushroom.	Attribution of animal characteristics (mushroom-like hat) to non-animal entities.

Themes in “Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield

1. Nature and Night The theme of nature and the night pervades Mansfield’s poem, setting the mystical and whimsical tone of the gathering described. The poem opens with vivid imagery of the moonlight dancing over a tree and characters whispering about swimming in a lake under the milky night sky. This setting underscores the enchanting quality of the natural world at night, with mentions of gardens, magnolia trees, and the moon that symbolizes mystery and change throughout the poem. Mansfield’s use of nature imagery not only creates a visual backdrop but also enhances the atmospheric and emotional depth of the poem, evoking a sense of wonder and introspection among the characters.
2. Social Interaction and Playfulness Another prominent theme in the poem is social interaction and playfulness. Mansfield portrays a gathering where characters engage in playful conversations, whimsical exclamations, and hesitant yet spirited participation in dancing and socializing. There are instances of dialogue expressing desires and reluctance to join in activities, such as swimming or dancing to Hungarian music. The interactions among the characters, their varied responses to music and nature, and their playful debates about the moon’s nature (virgin or harlot) highlight a social dynamic filled with curiosity, intrigue, and lightheartedness. This theme underscores the human need for connection and the enjoyment of communal activities amidst the natural setting described in the poem.
3. Mystery and Intrigue The theme of mystery and intrigue permeates Mansfield’s depiction of the gathering in “Night-Scented Stock.” The poem’s setting, with its dark house hiding secrets behind magnolia and pear trees, sets a mysterious backdrop. There are shadows, secretive conversations, and enigmatic questions posed about the moon and its symbolism. Mansfield uses language that hints at hidden meanings and unspoken thoughts among the characters, creating an aura of suspense and curiosity. The dancing described in the moonlight, with its patterns reminiscent of underwater flowers, adds to the mystical atmosphere. Overall, the theme of mystery invites readers to contemplate deeper layers of meaning behind the characters’ interactions and the natural world surrounding them.
4. Sensory Experience and Perception Sensory experience and perception are significant themes in Mansfield’s poem, influencing how characters interact with their surroundings and each other. Throughout the poem, there are vivid descriptions of sights, sounds, and scents that immerse the reader in the nighttime garden scene. Characters react to the fragrance of flowers, the brightness of the moonlight, and the rhythmic qualities of music. Mansfield employs sensory details like the comparison of a hat to a wet mushroom and the depiction of feet flicking in the grass like fishes to evoke a multisensory experience. These sensory perceptions enhance the poem’s imagery and contribute to its atmospheric quality, inviting readers to engage not only intellectually but also emotionally with the scene and its participants.

Literary Theories and “Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield

Literary Theory	Reference from the Poem	Explanation
Imagism	“White, white in the milky night”, “His white feet flicked in the grass like fishes”, “Like flowers nodding under the sea”	Imagism emphasizes clear and concise language to create vivid images. Mansfield uses white imagery to create a dreamy and surreal atmosphere.
Symbolism	“The moon danced over a tree”, “The big dark house hid secretly”, “The round grey hat, like a wet mushroom”	Symbolism uses objects to represent abstract ideas. The moon symbolizes freedom and joy, the dark house represents secrecy and the unknown, and the hat symbolizes the unknown or the mysterious.
Feminist Theory	“I should so love to see the white bodies— All the white bodies jump in!”, “Someone cried: ‘I want to dance, too!'”, “Is the moon a virgin or is she a harlot?”	Feminist theory examines gender roles and stereotypes. The poem explores the tension between feminine desire and societal expectations, as well as the objectification of women’s bodies. The moon’s ambiguous status as virgin or harlot highlights this tension.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield

Topic	Question	Thesis Statement
Imagery and Symbolism	How does Mansfield use imagery and symbolism to create a dreamy and surreal atmosphere?	“In ‘Night-Scented Stock’, Katherine Mansfield employs imagery and symbolism to create a dreamy and surreal atmosphere, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, and inviting the reader to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of the poem.”
Gender Roles and Desire	How does the poem explore feminine desire and the tension between desire and societal expectations?	“Through the voices and actions of the female characters in ‘Night-Scented Stock’, Mansfield subverts traditional gender roles and explores the tension between feminine desire and societal expectations, revealing the constraints and limitations placed on women’s lives.”
Music and Movement	What role does music and movement play in the poem, and how do they relate to the themes of freedom and joy?	“In ‘Night-Scented Stock’, music and movement serve as metaphors for freedom and joy, highlighting the transformative power of art and the human desire for expression and release.”
Moon and its Significance	What symbolic meaning does the moon hold in the poem, and how does it relate to the themes of femininity and desire?	“The moon in ‘Night-Scented Stock’ symbolizes feminine power, desire, and liberation, serving as a symbol of the female characters’ longing for freedom and autonomy, and highlighting the societal constraints that limit their lives.”

Critical Questions/Answers about “Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield

• How does Katherine Mansfield use imagery to depict the garden setting in “Night-Scented Stock”?
• Mansfield creates a vivid nocturnal garden scene through visual and auditory imagery. The “milky night” and the moon “dancing over a tree” establish a dreamlike atmosphere. The contrasting images of the “big dark house” and the garden “as light as day” emphasize the alluring mystery of the night. The music is personified as a “lady laughing behind her fan,” adding a playful, ephemeral quality to the setting.
• What is the significance of the recurring motif of white in the poem?
• The color white appears repeatedly, symbolizing purity, innocence, and perhaps vulnerability. The “white bodies” envisioned jumping into the lake suggest a desire for freedom and unburdened joy. The white feet “flicked in the grass like fishes” convey a sense of fleeting beauty and movement. The overall effect is a juxtaposition of the ethereal with the earthly, the innocent with the sensual.
• How does Mansfield portray the interactions and conversations among the characters in the poem?
• Mansfield presents a series of fragmented conversations that reveal the characters’ superficiality and fleeting desires. Their comments about music, dance, and appearance demonstrate a focus on the artificial and the performative. The unanswered questions and unfulfilled desires highlight a sense of longing and dissatisfaction beneath the surface gaiety.
• What is the overall tone and message of the poem “Night-Scented Stock”?
• The poem conveys a bittersweet tone, capturing a transient moment of revelry and its aftermath. The initial exuberance and flirtation gradually fade, leaving a sense of emptiness and disillusionment. The final image of the moon dancing alone over the tree reinforces the fleeting nature of pleasure and the persistence of natural beauty. Mansfield’s message seems to be a commentary on the superficiality of social interactions and the enduring power of nature to evoke deeper emotions.

Literary Works Similar to “Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield

1. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot: This poem explores themes of introspection, urban alienation, and the passage of time, similar to Mansfield’s exploration of social interaction and introspection in natural settings.
2. “Acquainted with the Night” by Robert Frost: Frost’s poem explores themes of loneliness, nighttime introspection, and the emotional landscape of solitude, akin to Mansfield’s contemplation of mystery and sensory experience under moonlit skies.
3. “The Garden” by Andrew Marvell: Marvell’s poem celebrates the beauty of nature and the fleeting moments of life, reminiscent of Mansfield’s focus on the enchanting quality of gardens and nighttime gatherings.
4. “Preludes” by T.S. Eliot: Another poem by Eliot, “Preludes,” captures the bleakness of urban life and the search for meaning amidst mundane routines, echoing Mansfield’s portrayal of social interactions and deeper existential reflections.
5. “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by W.B. Yeats: Both poems express a longing for escape from the complexities of modern life and a yearning for the simplicity and tranquility of nature. They utilize evocative imagery and lyrical language to create idyllic landscapes that offer solace and introspection.

Suggested Readings: “Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield

1. Mansfield, Katherine. “Night-Scented Stock.” Selected Stories of Katherine Mansfield, edited by Vincent O’Sullivan, Oxford University Press, 2016, pp. 275-276.
2. https://www.poeticous.com/katherine-mansfield/night-scented-stock
3. Ricketts, Harry, et al. “The Collected Poems of Katherine Mansfield.” Journal of New Zealand Literature (JNZL), no. 35:1, 2017, pp. 172–75. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/90015313. Accessed 20 June 2024.

Representative Quotations about “Night-Scented Stock” by Katherine Mansfield

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“The moon danced over a tree.”	The poem’s opening line, setting the scene	Imagism: Highlights the importance of clear and concise language in creating vivid images.
“I should so love to see the white bodies— All the white bodies jump in!”	A female character expresses her desire to swim in the lake	Feminist Theory: Illustrates the tension between feminine desire and societal expectations.
“The big dark house hid secretly Behind the magnolia and the spreading pear-tree;”	The introduction of the dark house, symbolizing secrecy and the unknown	Symbolism: Shows how objects can represent abstract ideas, in this case, the unknown or secrecy.
“The music stopped and there was nothing left of them But the moon dancing over the tree.”	The poem’s closing lines, emphasizing the moon’s enduring presence	Romanticism: Highlights the power of nature (the moon) to transcend human experience and the fleeting nature of human pleasure.
“Is the moon a virgin or is she a harlot?”	A character asks a question that highlights the moon’s ambiguous status	Gender Studies: Illustrates the ways in which gender binaries are blurred and subverted in the poem, reflecting the complexity of feminine experience.