The Modern Soul by Katherine Mansfield

A dinner party reveals the emotional and ideological clash between a self-consciously modern woman and her more conventional sister. Through conversation, glances, and subtle tensions, Mansfield explores questions of identity, artistic freedom, and moral superiority. The plot revolves around unspoken rivalries and the growing discomfort between the sisters. Beneath the witty exchanges lies deep insecurity and alienation. It’s a sharp and ironic study of intellectual pretension and emotional need.