Deal Me In Challenge: The Doll's House by Katherine Mansfield

Card Drawn:

So purdy.

Can someone please explain to me why "The Doll's House" by Katherine Mansfield is so highly revered? Not to say that the story is without any redeeming qualities but it's reputation as a "classic" is completely bewildering to me. I recall reading one of her stories called "The Garden Party" years ago and do remember it being quite good so I know that she is capable of  more accomplished writing. 

This story is all about social status and class inequality experienced through the perspective of children. If the reader is not made aware of this theme in the first paragraph, Mansfield makes sure to emphasize it continually with specific character relationships and heavy-handed symbolism: the elaborate and expensive 'doll house' representing class privilege being the most obvious one. There is nothing subtle about her story-telling or thematic approach at all. Writing at the turn of the 20th century, Mansfield was influenced by the modernist movement, which is odd, since the story is quite plot oriented as opposed to focusing more on shifting tone or moods.

One of the more frustrating aspects for me is that Mansfield builds up the tension nicely between the rich Burnell sisters and the poor Kelvey sisters but the end result is very anti-climactic. I was expecting the Kelvey's to put up more of a fight and fiercely retaliate against the Burnells for being treated so badly. Their shared experience of transcendence after stealing a glimpse of the "little lamp" in the doll house felt very lackluster and contrived. They really should have taken a sledgehammer to that doll house to teach those spoiled and arrogant Burnell sisters a lesson in humility.