Katherine Mansfield was a pioneering modernist writer from New Zealand. She is known for her innovative short stories and contributions to the literary movement of the early 20th century. In this post, we share some of Katherine Mansfield’s famous quotes for daily inspiration.

Early Life

Katherine was born Kathleen Mansfield Beauchamp on October 14, 1888 in Wellington, New Zealand. Mansfield grew up in a socially prominent and affluent family. Despite the societal expectations of her time, she displayed an early inclination toward literature and writing.

In 1903, Mansfield left New Zealand to study in London. This move that marked the beginning of her quest for artistic and personal independence.

Intellectual Circles

In London, she associated with a group of writers and artists that included D.H. Lawrence and Virginia Woolf. These people later become influential figures in her life. Her immersion in the intellectual circles of the time helped developed of her unique literary voice.

In 1909, Mansfield married George Bowden, a singing teacher. This relationship proved to be tumultuous, and the couple eventually separated. Mansfield’s experiences with love, marriage, and the societal expectations placed on women found expression in many of her later works.

Mansfield’s writing career gained momentum. In 1911, she published her first collection of short stories called “In a German Pension.” These early works showcased her keen observations of human behavior and sharp wit. They also focused on the complexities of human relationships. The stories were well-received, establishing Mansfield as a distinctive voice in literature.

Period of Transformation

The years 1914 to 1918 marked a transformative period for Mansfield.

She moved to France and, during this time, her writing underwent a significant evolution. The impact of World War I and her own struggles with tuberculosis intensified the introspective nature of her work.

Mansfield’s famous stories from this period included “The Garden Party” and “Bliss.” Both of these works delved into the complexities of human emotions and the fragility of existence.

As a modernist writer, Mansfield explored stream-of-consciousness narrative techniques to capture the nuances of everyday life. She was truly a master of the short story form. She used short stories to convey the subtleties of human experience with precision.

Mansfield’s Battle with Tuberculosis

Despite her ongoing battle with tuberculosis, Mansfield continued to write prolifically. In 1920, she married John Middleton Murry, a literary critic, and editor. Their relationship was complex and marked by emotional highs and lows.

Mansfield’s health, however, deteriorated rapidly. And and January 9, 1923 she succumbed to tuberculosis in Fontainebleau, France.

The Legacy of Katherine Mansfield

Katherine Mansfield’s impact on literature endured beyond her lifetime. Her works, particularly those published after her death, revealed the depth of her literary talent. Her legacy is particularly significant when it comes to the short story. Here, her innovations and exploration of the human psyche continue to influence writers to this day.

Despite her short life, Mansfield made significant contributions to modernist literature. Her ability to capture the complexities of human relationships earned her a place among the literary greats of the 20th century.

Famous Katherine Mansfield Quotes

Below are some great Katherine Mansfield quotes from throughout her life. We hope these will be a source of inspiration and courage in your life.

“There are always these moments in life when the limits of suffering are reached, and we become heroes and heroines.”

“Do the hardest thing on earth for you — act for yourself.”

“Regret is an appalling waste of energy; you can’t build on it. It’s only good for wallowing in.”

“I want to be all that I am capable of becoming.”

“The mind I love must have wild places, a tangled orchard where dark damsons drop in the heavy grass, and overgrown little wood, the chance of a snake or two, a pool that nobody’s fathomed the depth of, and paths threaded with flowers planted by the mind.”

“Make it a rule of life never to regret and never to look back.”

“To acknowledge the presence of fear is to give birth to failure.

“Life is marvelous.  I want to be deeply rooted in it — to live, to expand, to breathe in it, to rejoice, to share it.”

“Make it a rule of life never to regret and never to look back.”

“The pleasure of all reading is doubled when one lives with another who shares the same books.”

“Everything in life that we really accept undergoes a change.”

“It is of immense importance to learn to laugh at ourselves.”

“How idiotic civilization is!  Why be given a body if you have to keep it shut up in a case like a rare, rare fiddle.”

“Whenever I prepare for a journey, I prepare as though for death.  Should I never return, all is in order.”

“If only one could tell true love from false love, as one can tell mushrooms from toadstools.”

“I always felt that the great high privilege, relief, and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing.”

“Ah, what is it is to be with people who are all happy, to press hands, press cheeks, and smile into eyes.”

Katherine Mansfield Quotes – Final Words

Katherine Mansfield was a pioneering modernist writer from New Zealand. Though her life was tragically short, spanning only 34 years, Mansfield left an indelible mark on literature. Her legacy is particularly significant when it comes to the short story. Here, her innovations and exploration of the human psyche continue to influence writers to this day.

Her ability to capture the complexities of human relationships earned her a place among the literary greats of the 20th century.

We hope you enjoyed these Katherine Mansfield quotes. Check out our site for more sources of inspiration.