Student Question

What are two character traits of Kezia in "The Doll's House"?

Quick answer:

Kezia is revealed as curious and fair in "The Doll's House." Her curiosity is shown by her close observation of details, such as the lamp. Her fairness is shown by her desire to invite all her fellow students, including the Kelveys, to see the doll's house.

Expert Answers

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In “The Doll’s House,” Kezia Burrell is presented as a curious and fair little girl. She is shown as curious in being far more interested than her sisters in every detail of the fancy doll's house. Kezia’s fairness also emerges as difference from her sisters. Rather than exclude some of their fellow students, Kezia wishes to invite all of them to their home to see the doll house.

When the Burrell sisters receive the gift of the elaborate doll's house, they are all delighted. For two of the three sisters, Isabel and Lottie, the house is impressive because it is elaborate and obviously expensive. Especially for Isabel, the oldest, the house soon becomes more of a status symbol than a plaything, and she employs it as a device to bolster her popularity among the other girls at school.

Kezia is especially fascinated by numerous details within the house. She seems to be the kind of person who is genuinely interested in how things work. This curiosity is epitomized by her attention to the oil-filled lamp, which she admires because it seems so realistic that it could actually function. At school, when Isabel is boasting about their new treasure, she urges her sister to mention the lamp.

Kezia is later revealed as fair in her treatment of all her schoolmates. The idea of discriminating against the Kelvey sisters because of their lower socio-economic status does not appeal to her. After every other girl has already come over, but they have been excluded, Kezia specifically asks her mother if she can invite them. After her mother refuses, Kezia still finds a way to let them see the house, asking them in as they happen to pass by the yard.

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