"An Ideal Family"

 

Discussion starters:

  • What various interpretations do you give to the word "ideal" in the title?

  • Mansfield seemed unsatisfied with this story, reports Kobler, because "she 'didn't get the deepest truth out of the idea, even once'" (59).  What "truth" might Mansfield be trying to illustrate, and why do you think the story fails to do this?

  • Describe Mr Naeve.

  • Compare this story to "At the Bay."

Critical Source:

  • Kobler, J.F.  Katherine Mansfield: A Study of the Short Fiction.  Boston: Twayne, 1990.

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Created by Stan Galloway 10 October 2003..  Last updated 10 October 2003.