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Katherine Mansfield

Tasks
1) Give an outline of K.Mansfield’s literary career.
2) “An ideal Family”
A. Comment on the title of the short story.
B. Comment on the usage of the words “dream” and “forget”.
C. Why is the question “Who was he?” raised by old Mr.Neave? How would you answer it? How did the character answer it?
D. Comment on the author’s imagery employed to depict the man’s life.
3) “Mr and Mrs Dove”
A. Comment on the title of the short story.
B. Comment on the significance of “the dove house” image.
C. Comment on the usage of the word “dead” in the short story.
D. Give your treatment of the ending of the story.

Katherine Mansfield
An Ideal Family
That evening for the first time in his life, as he pressed through the swing door and descended the three broad steps to the pavement, old Mr. Neave felt he was too old for the spring. Spring - warm, eager, restless - was there, waiting for him in the golden light, ready in front of everybody to run up, to blow in his white beard, to drag sweetly on his arm. And he couldn't meet her, no; he couldn't square up once more and stride off, jaunty as a young man. He was tired and, although the late sun was still shining, curiously cold, with a numbed feeling all over. Quite suddenly he hadn't the energy, he hadn't the heart to stand this gaiety and bright movement any longer; it confused him. He wanted to stand still, to wave it away with his stick, to say, "Be off with you!" Suddenly it was a terrible effort to greet as usual - tipping his wide-awake with his stick - all the people whom he knew, the friends, acquaintances, shopkeepers, postmen, drivers. But the gay glance that went with the gesture, the kindly twinkle that seemed to say, "I'm a match and more for any of you" - that old Mr. Neave could not manage at all. He stumped along, lifting his knees high as if he were walking through air that had somehow grown heavy and solid like water. And the homeward-looking crowd hurried by, the trams clanked, the light carts...