D. H. Lawrence, Katherine Mansfield and Happiness

Abstract

This essay identifies an allusion contained in a remark made by D. H. Lawrence about the similarity of Katherine Mansfield's work to that of Dickens. It traces the origin of Lawrence's allusion, arguing that Lawrence specifically links Mansfield's writing with Dickens's Christmas book The Cricket on the Hearth (1845), in which a lively, speaking kettle plays a key part in emphasising the comforts of domesticity, offering an image of well-being set against the harshness of winter. Lawrence linked Mansfield to this scene because it highlighted notions of happiness that were central to their literary relationship as explored by this article. Working from this allusion, parallels emerge in the way that both writers were preoccupied with the transience of happiness (as in a Christmas tale), but also in that they sought similar means of overcoming this transience. Echoes between Mansfield's ‘Bliss’ (1918) and Lawrence's Women in Love (1920) reveal close linguistic affinities between the two writers: each emphasises ‘stillness’, attempting to pause narrative and to dwell on moments of contentment. The essay highlights a coincidence of concerns between Mansfield and Lawrence, offering new insights into their friendship and their closeness as writers.