1. Katherine Mansfield (Beauchamp) 1888 (Wellington, New Zealand) – 1923 (Fontainebleau, France) Socially prominent and wealthy family Talented cello player Started writing at college (Queen’s College in London) Published her first short stories in 1906 in New Zealand Left NZ in 1908 for good Travelled through Europe, bohemian lifestyle The only writer Virgina Woolf was jealous of Bisexual: few lesbian relationships 1909: Became pregnant of one man, married another (George Bowden), who she left the same day she married him; miscarriage Death of brother in World War I in 1915 Married John Middleton Murry in 1918

2. Suffered of depression and tuberculosis Died of the complications of tuberculosis in 1923 Chosen short story: The Lady’s Maid about a maid who is telling a “madam” about her life serving her lady. Published in 1922 in The Garden Party and Other Short Stories. Modernist writer peak of modernism between 1900 – 1920 pessimistic view of life common theme: a dysfunctional individual trying in vain to make sense of an urban and fragmented society. reaction to the emergence of city life as a central force in society.

3. Style characteristic: free indirect speech (a combination of 3rd person narration combined with 1st person direct speech. Usage of rhethorical questions). Example of free indirect speech He laid down his bundle and thought of his misfortune. And just what pleasure had he found, since he came into this world? In The Lady’s Maid Katherine Mansfield uses this technique as well but this time by talking to an unknown madam. The effect is the same....Of course, I couldn't. I had my young ladies. And what would I have looked like on a donkey in my uniform?