Masks as a Symbol of Hypocrisy
The title of the novella indicates that Masks are a key symbol in the text. On the one hand, the protagonist Jean Muir hides behind a physical disguise to enhance her beauty and youth, and has her true self shaded from the eyes of all other people by means of the role she plays. On the other hand, the author herself assumes the identity of a man in order to publish her work and spare it the prejudiced criticism of the era. The reason behind the necessity of a mask in both cases is the rigidity and hypocrisy of society back then. A female author was not taken seriously. A former actress was judged harshly. In such a manner, hypocritical norms pushed people towards deception. Therefore, the work was published successfully when thought of as the composition of a man. Similarly, Jean was treated kindly when she had adopted the identity of a frail and helpless governess. Accordingly, masks in the text are a symbol of societal hypocrisy.
The Coventry Fortune as a Motif of Class Struggle
On the morning following her arrival to the Coventry home, Jean wanders towards the Hall which is Sir John’s estate, and eyes the premises as her ultimate goal. All her efforts, disguise, and deception have but one goal which is the attainment of such fortune and title by marrying Sir John. Thus the riches of the Coventry in the text are a motif used by the author to further the development of the theme related to class-clash and class struggle.
Fainting as a Motif of Femininity
When Jean first arrives at the house she faints, which endears her to the whole Coventry family by dint of her alleged frailty. Edward in particular shows her much attention and care, and is soon taken entirely by her charms. This incident indicates that helplessness, frailty, and weakness were regarded as desirable female traits at the time. Alcott uses fainting fits as a motif to develop this idea.
Female Charm as a Motif for Women Power:
Jean uses her charms and female desirability in order to seduce the men and get in favor with the women of the Coventry Family. She feigns weakness and helplessness to trap Edward and Gerald, and does the same with their uncle. Alcott uses thus the multiple skills of Jean to highlight the feminine charms of women which make their strength, and give them actual superiority over their male counterparts.
Acting as a Symbol of Duplicity
Alcott uses acting in the text as a symbol for the duplicity of the 19th century English society. For instance, Jean is a former actress who still uses her skills to deceive those around her and lead them to believe her all what she is not. An even better example is the scene where Jean and Gerald portray the roles of lovers on stage. Only Lucia Beaufort seems cognizant, at the time, of the deception played by these two upon the audience. To all eyes, the couple was playing dramatic roles on stage, but in truth they were really experiencing the emotions of lovers and developing a relationship under the guise of a role play. This is symbolic of the duplicity of the late-Victorian society which encouraged the development of double-dealing and deceit through its hypocritical norms.
The Allegory of Jean as a Queen
After the play at Sir John’s, Gerald wanders between the rooms in search of Jean. He finds her still in her costume of a queen, handling with extreme ease and familiarity the ornaments of her disguise. At that moment, she seems to him a real queen and he feels like talking to one of his own class rather than a governess from a lower rank. This scene is an allegory conveying Jean’s hold upon the Coventry men. Although Gerald is stronger, richer, and nobler in birth, Jean holds him in her power like a real queen.
