‘At the Bay’ largely utilizes natural images as a means of expression, focusing heavily on landscape and setting in order to create the foundation for the establishment of themes integral to the characterization and plot development. The story instantly commences with the light shed on scenery and environment, “The sun had not yet risen and the whole of crescent bay was hidden under a white sea-mist” followed closely by ,”Drenched were the cold fuchsias, round pearls of dew lay on the flat nasturtium leaves”. References to ‘paddocks’, ‘bungalows’ and ‘a flock of sheep came pattering’ provide evidence of a rural, New Zealand setting and the usage of seasonal images of “the marigolds and the pink” indicate a Spring backdrop. Phrases such as ,” It looked as though the sea had beaten up softly in the darkness, as though one immense wave had come rippling” foreshadow the darker aspect this story is to follow as it progresses. The rural setting is further reinforced by the personification of the ‘gum-tree’, “An enormous shock haired giant with his arms stretched out”
Mansfield’s composition follows an abundance of paragraphs, each of a constant length allowing for the build-up of a slow paced, tranquil atmosphere to grow at the base of the narrative, in line with the expanse of description. The first hint of one of the recurring motifs comes with the encounter with the Cat and the Sheep-Dog. Mansfield gives the Cat a metaphorical voice, “Ugh! What a course, revolting, creature!” as well as indicating the Dogs thought process,” –and thought her a silly female”
Through this unconventional exchange, Mansfield foreshadows the rugged male-female domestic dynamic that is to pervade whilst also expressing the underlying tension between the sexes.

Mansfield opens her story with a dominant male presence, Stanley Burnell, whose inherent sense of masculinity is apparent