Today we are featuring two stories from New Zealand: The Doll’s House by Katherine Mansfield and its sequel, The Washerwoman’s Children, written in celebration of Mansfield’s centenary by Maori writer Witi Ihimaera. In the first story, a family friend gives a magnificent doll’s house to the children of a well-to-do family. Their mother allows them to invite all but two of the girls at their school to come and see it. These girls (sisters) are shunned and teased by the other children because of their mother’s lowly job. Themes: imagination, class, prejudice, peer pressure, bullying, kindness.
The Doll’s House Original Text / PDF / Audio (2,800 words)
The Doll’s House General Understanding Quiz
In The Washerwoman’s Children, the tables are turned. One of the outcast sisters has achieved success far beyond any other student from the school. She receives an invitation to attend the school’s centenary. Later, she learns that she will not only be the guest of honor, but must give a speech. In the speech she can settle old scores, ignore the past, or embrace it in some way. What would you do? Themes: vindication, nostalgia, healing.
The Washerwoman’s Children Original Text / PDF (5,000 words)