Katherine Mansfield
Today I honour Katherine Mansfield — a New Zealand literary icon ( 1888-1923)
Her words shaped New Zealand’s literary voice on the world stage.
She is living tribute to her brilliance and the her shared heritage.
She is best known for her Modernist short stories .
She spent time living in Europe and mixed with many progressive and well known writers, artists. poets etc.
Her work was admired by fellow 20th century writers, including Virginia Woofe , D.H. Lawrence.,Thomas Hardy, and Elizabeth Bowen.
Her journals and letters evoke a passionate individual, dedicated to her craft, whose life was tragically cut short by tuberculosis aged 34.
On our Anniversary-holiday, where we cruised around the South Island of New Zealand we had the exciting opportunity to spend the time while berthed in the Capital Wellington, to revisit Katherine Mansfield House and Garden. We walked with our given map to 25 Tinakori Rd, which was about 15 mins from the Quay. (It took us half an hour, but we did wander and enjoy the journey.)
Unfortunately a motor way now races beneath the preserved house, but at the house and garden we forgot about the business and noise. where she was born and lived her early years. It has been preserved and beautifully restored. I felt the love and dedication given to this beauiful place.
The house and garden gives us a glimpse into the home of a fashionable colonial family, what life was like for Mansfield Katherine Mansfield as a young girl living in Wellington and the life and writing of a woman far away from her first home.
The first view was of the garden, which was beautifully cared for and was connected with Katherine’s writing..
Michael and I after our walk and discovery of the House & Garden.
My favourite sign as I love roses and there were many roses not in bloom at the moment
Inside the house we were amazed at the detail and the ways it has been restored. An honour
for Katherine that it is here and cared for lovingly.
- Dining room 2. Sitting room 3. A stunnin 4. A stunning period chair 5. Michael with the Grandfather clock.
- The last two bring back memories of the old days with the traymobile and the fuel stove that my Nanna had.
One of my connections with here is my favourite story called The Doll’s House.
A short story that shows inequality and the hard reality of life where the children pull our heart strings so wistfully.
And here is the Dolls’ House that inspired the story.
Summary: The story explores the theme of class distinction and cruelty in society.
It is set in rural New Zealand and based on Mansfield’s own experiences growing up.
The story follows the Burnell children receiving a doll’s house as a gift. While Kezia wants to show it to the poor Kelvey sisters,
her sister Isabel refuses due to their lower class. Later, Kezia secretly invites the sisters to see it, but they are dismissed.
The doll’s house and its lamp symbolize hope for overcoming social discrimination.
To read The Doll’s House hopefully click below or google as there is a PDF of the story 8 min read.
https://susannahfullerton.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/THE-DOLLS-HOUSE.pdf
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I mention again the award-winning book, Virginia & Katherine: The Secret Diaries by my friend Pip Griffin (Pohutukawa Press 2022)
that was being sold at the Shop and now I discover it is sold out.
