Bliss

The story’s limited third person omniscient narrative voice forces the reader to be guided only by Bertha’s perceptions and misinterpretations of the people and events around her. The reader knows all there is to know about Bertha’s thoughts and feelings, and events are filtered through her exuberant lens. This narrative voice enables a deep understanding of the protagonist. The evening unfolds for the reader just as it unfolds for Bertha—including the jolt of the epiphany that ends the story. Interestingly, Bertha is aware of Harry’s ability to surprise her. In fact, “he made a point of catching Bertha’s heels with” unexpected responses in their conversations. She may make an idealistic comment about a person, and Harry counters with a childish comment such as “pure flatulence.” She admits that “for some strange reason Bertha liked this and almost admired it in him very much” (Paragraph 47).

Ironically, Harry’s infidelity also trips her up—to a heightened degree—a feeling that the reader experiences in tandem with Bertha. Just like Bertha, the reader has a eureka experience which is possible because of the narrative voice.