For Monday: Mansfield, "At the Bay," "The Garden Party," and "Daughters of the Late Colonel"

For Monday, I want you to slowly start reading some of Mansfield's short stories. The post above will give you some context about Mansfield's life and Colonialism, which is an important element of many of her stories. You can e-mail me these questions (at jgrasso@ecok.edu) at any time between now and Friday, but no later than Friday (since I'll give you a new set then).  

I know it's hard to come back after such a long break, especially since we're not really coming back; however, I'll do everything I can to make this last third of class engaging, even if it's somewhat lackluster not meeting face to face. Please e-mail me with any questions and concerns you have, and I'll be more than happy to respond. 

Answer two of the following:

Q1: As mentioned in my lecture (in the post above), the feeling of isolation is central to Mansfield's stories, even though none of the characters are truly alone. What seems to make these characters feel so isolated in society? Why can't they connect with the people around them, whether their own parents, or husbands, or even fellow human beings?

Q2: "The Daughters of the Late Colonel" is a particularly Wuthering Heights-esque story, particularly in its obsession with how the past haunts the present. How does the sisters' father seem to echo some of the personality and presence of Heathcliff? Why are they so in awe of him? What are they really afraid of?

Q3: In Claire Tomalin's biography of Mansfield (which I discuss in the lecture), she writes that "Katherine was quick to identify with servants in her writing, and to offer them special imaginative sympathy, although she grew up in a society in which the social division between maids and masters seemed absolute." Where do we see this sympathy in some of the stories, particularly "At the Bay"? 

Q4: The ending of the story, "The Garden Party," has mystified many people, as the author breaks off Laura's statement, "Isn't life..." What do you think she was going to say, or what do you think she was trying to express? Does her brother seem to understand her? Do we?