Katherine Mansfield: the French reception

Abstract

The purpose of my thesis is to present the French critical reception of Katherine Mansfield, through an account of articles, reviews, and biographies. My work is expository rather than critical. It should be stressed that I have tried to introduce different viewpoints, and consequently I have restricted my work to the most representative, making choices, sacrificing some interesting studies as I could not include all the material available. The thesis begins with Katherine Mansfield in the French cultural spectrum, namely her perception of France and its people. Part two focuses on Katherine Mansfield when she was reviewed by critic Louis Gillet, in 1924. One of her most ardent admirers, he prompted and encouraged the Mansfieldian cult. Later, Murry himself reinforced the myth, with a truncated publication of Katherine Mansfield's Letters (1927) and Journal (1928), in which she appears as pure, très féminine. The myth built around her, revolving mainly around her life, led to an exaggerated praise. In part three, I deal with opposing points of view from two critics who vehemently opposed 'the Mansfieldian craze' and the writer herself. Part fouxr considers the biographies on Katherine Mansfield, ranging from a Roman Catholic view, to a dramatized and impassioned depiction. The aim of part five is to offer an account of the press reaction to the 'Gurdjieff phenomenon', following the death of Mansfield in 1923. Part six brings a new element in the perception of Katherine Mansfield after the release of the definitive edition of the Letters. Part seven takes up the reaction of French critics after the release of Antony Alpers' biography of Katherine Mansfield, in 1959 in its French version and was followed by rejection and the call of 'profanation' by the press. Part eight will be an account of the turning point in the history of the Mansfieldian legend and how the mythical image slowly sank into oblivion. The last part is chiefly concerned with the numerous official celebrations of Katherine Mansfield in France. The translations of French material are my own, except where otherwise stated.