The Garden Party ~by Katherine Mansfield ( SUMMARY and All The Questions Answers Class 11 SEMESTER 2 WBCHSE )

 The Garden Party 

                             ~~by  Katherine Mansfield

The Garden Party

 

Title of the Story

In "The Garden Party", all the characters reveal themselves and act in connection with the afternoon party arranged in the garden of the Sherid Ans.The story revolves around the protagonist's journey from innocence to maturity. The title indicates the occasion that enables Laura to come into contact with the world of the working class. She enjoys a sheltered youth as the youngest daughter of the wealthy Sheridan family. She is used to interactions with the people of her own class. Everything around her is lovely. She is entrusted with the responsibility of supervising the workers hired to put up a large tent. She tries to put on an air of aristocracy when she goes out of the house.

Initially, she stammers to communicate with the workmen. But the smiling response from one of them pleases her. She quickly overcomes her awkwardness and becomes friendly with the workers. The garden-party removes her prejudice and enriches her experience. The news of the carter's death reaches her when Godber's man comes to deliver cream puff for the party. She requests her mother to cancel the party but her plea is bluntly rejected. Her feelings for the deceased Mr. Scott put her at odds with her own family. Standing between the two worlds—the world of the affluent Sheridans and the world of the working class represented by Mr. Scott, the cart-driver, she is crushed. The leftover food of the party gives her the opportunity to stand by the Scott family. When she reaches the house of the Scotts with a basket full of food, she finds the real condition of the working class people. Her encounter with death changes her. The garden-party plays a significant role in the education and the development of a new perception of life and death in Laura. So, the title is appropriate.

 

Characters in the Story

 * Laura Sheridan : Laura Sheridan is the central character of the story. She is the youngest daughter of the Sheridan family. Her mother describes her as the 'artistic one'. Initially, she shares her family's enthusiasm for the garden-party. But the news of a carter's death shocks her terribly. This innate sensitivity of Laura sets her apart from the others. Her worldview changes as she encounters the grieving widow and observes the lifeless body of the carter, Mr. Scott. She feels empathy for the working class.

 * Mrs. Sheridan: Mrs. Sheridan is Laura's mother. She controls all her children, manages her household and organises the garden-party. She represents upper-class insensitivity. She is clever enough to divert Laura's mind from postponing the garden-party to enjoying it. She is conscious of her social status; she does not feel for the lower-class people. 

 * Jose Sheridan: Jose is Laura's sister. She stands for the privileged class' superiority. She is described as a 'butterfly'. She is ignorant of class disparities.

 * Meg Sheridan : Meg Sheridan is Laura's sister. She resembles Jose in her preoccupations. She remains silent and passive all through.

 * Laurie Sheridan: Laurie Sheridan is Laura's brother. He is seen only at the beginning and end of the story. He plays a minor role.

 * Mr. Sheridan: Mr. Sheridan is the father of Meg, Jose, Laura and Laurie. He appears twice in the story. He mentions the carter's death with a touch of sympathy.

 * Kitty Maitland : Kitty Maitland is a family friend of the Sherid Ans.She is the only named guest at the garden-party. She represents the elite class. 

 * Mr. Scott : Mr. Scott is a poor cart-driver living down the hill. He dies in an accident on the morning of the garden-party. The news of his sudden death catalyzes Laura's moral awakening. The sight of his lifeless body lying in peace transforms Laura's perception of life and death. 

 * Em Scott: Em Scott is the widow of the deceased Mr. Scott. When Laura meets her, she finds marks of sorrow engraved on her swollen face. 

 * Mrs. Scott's sister: Em's unnamed sister welcomes Laura to the cottage of the Scotts. She brings Laura to Em and then to Mr. Scott's corpse. Her hospitality and comforting words illustrate the warmth of the lower class.

 * Cook : The Sheridans' cook has the most forceful presence of all the servants. Mrs. Sheridan claims to be afraid of her that morning.

 * The Workers : Four workers arrive to set up the marquee for the garden-party. Their interaction with Laura removes her prejudice for the working class. Laura enjoys their company in the course of supervising their job and appreciates their friendly words.

 * Tall Workman : The tall workman is one of the four workers. Laura is moved by his act of smelling a dried lavender flower. Laura's wish to go out of the house to smell the flower's fragrance sets the stage for the incident.

 * Hans : Hans is a servant in the Sheridan household. Although he remains silent, he assists Jose and Meg in rearranging the drawing room.

 * Sadie: Sadie is a servant in the Sheridan household. She serves as a messenger.

 * Florist's man : The florist's man delivers trays of numerous pink canna lilies for the garden-party.

 * Godber's man: Godber's man delivers cream puffs for the party. He is the first person to inform all about the carter, Mr. Scott's sudden death.

 

Summary of the Story

 

It is a lovely summer morning. The gardener tends to the Sheridan family's estate to impress the guests at the upcoming garden-party. Mrs. Sheridan shares breakfast with her daughters Meg and Laura. Four labourers have come to put up a marquee for the party. Mrs. Sheridan sends Laura outside to supervise the work as she is the most artistic of her children. Excited by the new responsibility, Laura goes out. Initially, she is apprehensive. She attempts to greet them in an authoritative tone but stammers. Soon, Laura recovers on receiving a friendly response from a smiling worker. The interaction goes on. Although Laura begins to instruct them, she accepts the workmen's suggestions. Suddenly, she rushes inside to respond to a phone call. It is Kitty Maitland's call. She receives the call and invites Kitty for lunch before the party. Then, the florist arrives with a tray filled with a lot of stunning canna lilies. Laura feels the warmth of the lilies.

Now, the narrative shifts to the drawing room. Jose commands the servants and instructs Hans to rearrange the room. She also asks Meg to play the piano for practice. To make the garden-party a success, Mrs. Sheridan delegates various tasks to her daughters. While the preparation is going on in full swing, Godber's man arrives and delivers cream puffs. Laura decides to go to the garden to monitor the workers. Heading outside, Laura overhears Godber's man telling the servants how Mr. Scott, a cart-driver living downhill, just died in a terrible accident, leaving behind his wife and five children. The shocking news of his death spoils Laura's joy and she thinks they should postpone the party. To Jose, her proposal sounds ridiculous. Her mother is equally unsympathetic. To tackle the situation, she places her hat on Laura's head and says that she looks pretty. At once, she offers her a hand-mirror. But this tactic fails to distract Laura. Retiring to her bedroom, Laura accidentally discovers herself in the mirror looking beautiful and resolves to join the party. She decides to speak to her brother about the death to seek his opinion. But he compliments her hat in a way that makes her lose her nerve to present the issue. Guests arrive and enjoy. They praise Laura. The party is a great success. Laura and Mrs. Sheridan bids farewell to the guests. After the last guest leaves, the Sheridans gather under the marquee. Mr. Sheridan brings up the news of Mr. Scott's death. Mrs. Sheridan mentions that Laura wanted to cancel the party. But Mr. Sheridan expresses sorrow over the tragic incident. After reacting disapprovingly to his remark, Mrs. Sheridan proposes that they should send the leftover food to the widowed wife and children of Mr. Scott.

Mrs. Sheridan instructs Laura to deliver the basket, full of leftover party food, to the family of the deceased. Laura departs from the garden and heads downhill with the basket. But she is still filled with the thoughts of the successful party. On reaching the spot and witnessing the poor condition of the cottages there, she becomes critical of her dress. She feels it to be a mismatch with her current surroundings. She is particularly conscious of her decorated hat. At the Scott residence, she finds an assemblage of mourners. She nervously knocks and tries to drop off the basket so that she may return home soon. She is welcomed by the widow's sister. There, she stammers uncomfortably and comes face to face with the grieving widow and the dead body of Mr. Scott. Laura stares at his lifeless body and sobs. To her, the dead person seems to be 'peaceful', as if 'dreaming'. Overwhelmed with emotions, she sobs and says, "Forgive my hat". Then she leaves the house. On the way home, she meets Laurie and rushes into his arms. This experience of death brings about a change in Laura's perception of life. When Laurie asks her if it was 'awful', she denies it and describes it as 'marvellous'. Laura cannot explain her new-found experience in words. The story ends with Laurie's response, "Isn't it, darling?"

VERY SHORT TYPE QUESTIONS ANSWER

1.     When and in which collection was 'The Garden Party' first published? 

 Ans. 'The Garden Party' was published in 1922 in the collection 'The Garden Party and Other Stories'.

2.     Who hosted the garden-party? Where was it hosted? 

 Ans. The Sheridan family hosted the garden-party. 

They hosted it in their luxurious garden.

3.     Who are the members of the Sheridan family? 

 Ans.The members of the Sheridan family include Mr. Sheridan, Mrs. Sheridan, Laura, Laurie, Meg and Jose. 

4.     Why did the workers come in the morning? Who supervised them? 

Ans.The workers came to put up the marquee. 

 Laura supervised the workers. 

5.     How many siblings were there in the Sheridan family ? Who, according to Mrs. Sheridan, was the most artistic one?

 Ans.In the Sheridan family, there were four siblings, name Laura , Laurie, Jose and Meg. 

Laura , according to mrs. Sheridan, is the most artistic one.

 

6.     Who had ordered the florist to bring the lilies? When?

 Ans.Mrs. Sheridan had ordered the florist to bring the lilies.

While passing the shop the previous day, she saw the flowers in the window and ordered them for the party.

 

7.     What do the flowers symbolize in 'The Garden Party'?

 Ans.In 'The Garden Party', Katherine Mansfield has mentioned flowers like roses, lilies and lavenders. The flowers represent social status, class distinction, beauty, life's delicacy and aesthetic joy. They are the symbols of joy and celebration of the garden-party. They also stand for the transience of life and the inevitability of death.

 

8.     What did Song sing? What was the song about?

 Ans.Jose sang "This Life is Weary."

 It was a melancholic song about the changing nature of love and life and its consequent hopelessness.

 

9.     Who interrupted the song? Why?

 Ans.Sadie, a housemaid, interrupted the song. The servant had gone to bring the flags for the 'Garden Party' celebrations.

 

10.                        How many kinds of sandwiches were prepared by the cook? Who congratulated the cook?

 Ans.The cook prepared fifteen kinds of sandwiches.

 Jose congratulated the cook for such exquisite sandwiches.

 

11.                        Who announced the arrival of Godber's man? What was Godber's famous for?

 Ans.Sadie, a maidservant, announced the arrival of Godber's man.

Godber's was famous for their cream puffs.

 

12.                        "Only Godber's man seemed to be enjoying himself, it was his story" - Who were listening to his story? What was the story about?

 Ans. Sadie, Hans and the cook were listening to his story.

The story was about the accidental death of a carter: Mr. Scott.

 

13.                        How did Mr. Scott die?

 Ans.Mr. Scott died of an accident. His horse shied at a traction engine and threw him out on the back of his head. As a result, Mr. Scott was killed.

 

14.                        Where did Mr. Scott live? What was his profession?

 Ans.Mr. Scott lived in one of the 'little cottages' located down the hill from the Sheridan family's luxurious house.

By profession, Mr. Scott was a cart-driver.

 

15.                        When and where did the accident take place?

 Ans.The accident took place that morning at the corner of Hestlake Street.

16.                        Whom did Mr. Scott leave behind?

 Ans.Mr. Scott left behind his wife and five little children.

 

17.                        Why did Laura think of stopping the party?

 Ans.Mr. Scott, a neighbour of the Sheridan family, died in an accident that morning. Laura thought they could not possibly have a garden party with a man dead just outside the front gate.

18.                        Whom did Laura tell first about stopping the party? How did the person react?

 Ans. Laura told Jose, her sister, first about stopping the party.

Jose told Laura that it was an extravagant and absurd proposal. She was against taking Mr. Scott's death seriously and sympathetically. 

 

19.                        How did the servants and Godber's man react to Mr. Scott's death?

 Ans. The characters who listened to the story of Mr. Scott's death reacted in a variety of ways. Godber's man was amused, servants were horrified, sad seemed to be in pain and took clicked his tongue.

 

20.                        How had the Scotts' neighbourhood been described?

 Ans.The Scotts lived in one of the dilapidated cottages at the base of the hill. There were neither beautiful gardens nor any civic amenities there.

 

21.                        "They were the greatest possible eyesore."-Who/What were the eyesores? Why?

 Ans.The little cottages at the base of the hill where the Scotts lived has been described as an eyesore. The Sheridan family found the poverty-stricken families adjacent to their well-maintained house and garden unpleasant.

 

22.                        Who lived in Scotts' locality?

 Ans.Poor people lived in the Scotts' locality. The members of this locality included washerwomen, sweeps, a cobbler, and a man whose house/hut was studded with minute (miniature) birdcages.

 

23.                        Who were forbidden to set foot in the Scotts' neighbourhood? Why?

 Ans.The children of the Sheridan family were forbidden to set foot in the Scotts' neighbourhood.

They were not allowed to go there in fear that they might catch the revolting language of the locality.

 

24.                        Why did Laura want to stop the band? How did Jose refute her proposal?

 Ans. Laura told Jose that the band should be stopped because it would be unpleasant to Mrs. Scott.

Jose refuted Laura by saying that if she stopped the band from playing each time an accident occurred, she would lead a very strenuous life.

 

25.                        How did Laura's mother react to Laura's proposal to stop the party?

 Ans.Laura's mother refused to take Laura seriously. She said they could not stop it for an accident of an unimportant man from a poor family.

 

26.                        To what extent was Laura convinced by her mother's argument?

 Ans.Laura was not at all convinced by her mother's argument. She felt it was all wrong. She told her mother that it would be heartless of them to continue the party when a man had died in the neighbourhood.

 

27.                        How was the weather in the morning on the day of the garden-party?

 Ans.It was a perfect day in early summer. It was windless and the sky was cloudless. 

 

28.                        What did the gardener do in the morning?

 Ans.The gardener had been up since dawn, mowing the lawns and sweeping them. He mowed and swept until the grass and the dark flat rosettes where the daisy plants had been seemed to shine.

 

29.                        Which flowers impress people at garden-parties? How many of those flowers bloomed on that day?

 Ans. According to the narrator, roses are the only flowers that impress people at garden parties.

Hundreds of roses bloomed on that day.

 

30.                        Who came to put up the marquee? When did they come? 

 Ans.A group of four workers came to put up the marquee. 

 They came in the morning even before breakfast was over at the Sheridan household. 

 

31.                        Who was asked to supervise the workmen? Why? 

 Ans.Laura was asked to supervise the workmen. 

 Mrs. Sheridan sent Laura to supervise the workmen as she thought she was an artistic child. Moreover, Laura enjoyed arranging things. 

 

32.                        How did Laura supervise the workmen? 

 Ans.Initially, Laura imitated her mother's way of speaking to show her greatness. But the friendliness of the workers impressed her and she started to speak naturally. She tried to direct the workmen but the workmen ultimately decided everything. 

 

33.                        How was the place for the marquee finalised? 

 Ans.Laura suggested the lily-lawn for the marquee. However, the workers told her that it was not a conspicuous place. Laura then pointed to the corner of the tennis court. The workmen ultimately decided to place it against the karaka-trees. 

 

34.                        What did Laura feel about the workers? 

 Ans.Laura liked the jolly workmen. She seemed extraordinarily nice to her. She wished to have the workmen for her friends rather than the silly boys she danced with. 

 

35.                        After meeting the workers, what did Laura feel about class distinction? 

 Ans.After meeting the workers, Laura felt that class distinction was absurd. She did not feel an atom about class distinction. She felt just like a work girl, 

 

36.                        Who is called 'the butterfly' in The Garden Party? Why? 

 

Ans.Jose, Laura's sister, is called 'the butterfly' in 'The Garden Party' by Katherine Mansfield. 

 She is so called because she always comes down in a silk petticoat and kimono jacket; she is colourful and carefree like a butterfly. 

 

37.                        Who placed the piano in a convenient position? Who sang with the piano? 

 Ans.The two sisters Meg and Jose, along with a servant called Hans, placed the piano in a convenient position. 

 Jose sang a song with the piano.

 

38.                        Who telephoned Laura? What conversation did they have?

 Ans.Laura's friend Kitty Maitland telephoned her. 

 Laura invited Kitty to have lunch with her. She also conveyed her mother's words to wear the hat she had worn the previous Sunday. 

 

39.                        What did the florist bring? 

 Ans.The florist brought a wide, shallow tray full of pots of big, radiant pink canna lilies. 

40.                        How did Laura’s mother try to divert her consciousness? 

 Ans.Laura’s mother brought a hat and popped it on her head. She held up her hand-mirror to show Laura her own beautiful reflection.

 

41.                        “People like them don't expect sacrifices from us.”—Who are the people referred to here? Why wouldn't they expect sacrifices from them?

 Ans.People of poor families like the Scotts are referred to here. 

 The Sheridans were rich and thus considered themselves superior to their poor neighbours. They weren’t ready to spoil their enjoyment for their mourning neighbours. 

 

42.                        How was Laura’s consciousness diverted? 

 Ans.Laura’s mother put a hat on Laura's head. Later, Laura observed her charming image in the mirror in her black hat trimmed with gold daisies and a long black velvet ribbon by chance. The discovery of her beautiful image diverted her consciousness. 

 

43.                        When was the lunch over? When were the Sheridans ready for the party?

 Ans.Lunch was over by half-past one.

 By half-past two, the Sheridans were ready for the party. 

 

44.                        Why did Laura want to tell Laurie about the accident?

 Ans.Laura valued Laurie’s opinions and deemed them to be the decisive factor, so she wanted to tell Laurie about the accident and seek his opinion on the justification of the garden-party. If he agreed, she believed that it was bound to be alright. 

 

45.                        Why could Laura not tell Laurie about the accident? 

 Ans.Laura followed Laurie into the hall to tell him about the accident. However, distracted by Laurie’s appreciation of her stunning look, Laura could not tell him about the accident. 

46.                        When did Mr. Sheridan share the news of the accident? What did he say? 

 Ans. Mr. Sheridan shared the news of the accident after the party was successfully over. 

 He said that it was a horrible affair. Mr. Scott was married and he left half a dozen' children and his wife moreover, he also informed that the latter lived just below the lane.

 

47.                        “I will Remember it again after the party’s over.” —Who will remember it? What will the speaker remember?

 Ans. Laura would remember it. 

 She would remember the accidental death of Mr. Scott and the miseries of his family. 

 

48.                        “But it all seemed blurred, unreal, like a picture in the newspaper.”—What is compared to a picture in the newspaper? How did it affect Laura? 

 Ans. The news of Mr. Scott’s death is compared to a picture in the newspapers.

 The impact of Mr. Scott’s death fades away from Laura’s mind as she discovers her beautiful reflection in the mirror. This switch from subjective attachment to objective detachment relieved her from the prick of conscience for that moment.

 

49.                        Who planned to send a basket of food to the Scott family? When?

 Ans. Mrs. Sheridan planned to send a basket full of food to the Scott family. 

 She planned to send it when she saw the table full of uneaten sandwiches, cakes and puffs.

 

50.                        Why was Laura hesitant about sending the basket of leftover food to Mr. Scott's family? 

 Ans. Laura thought it would be a bad idea to send the scraps from their party. She thought Mr. Scott's wife would not like it.

 

51.                        Why could Laura not realise that she was going somewhere where a man lay dead? 

 Ans. Laura’s mind was hung up on the successful party. She was still absorbed in the kisses, voices, tinkling spoons, laughter and smell of crushed grass. So she was unable to realise anything about her surroundings or the deceased person. 

 

52.                        How was the atmosphere during Laura’s journey to the Scott's house? 

 Ans. It was growing dusky when Laura started for the Scotts' cottage. The road gleamed white. The sky was pale and the evening grew quiet. As she crossed the broad road, she entered a dark and smoky lane. 

 

53.                        How did Mr. Scott's dead body look in a deep slumber? 

 Ans. It seemed to Laura that Mr. Scott was in a deep slumber. She felt that he was dreaming peacefully. The young man's eyes were closed and his head was sunk in the pillow. He looked 'wonderful, beautiful'.

 

54.      What was Laura thinking while she was standing in front of Mr. Scott's dead body? 

 Ans. She thought garden-parties, baskets and lace frocks did not have anything to do with Mr. Scott anymore. While the party was going on and the band was playing, he was sleeping happily; he was beyond any mortal obligation by this time. 

 

55.                        What did Laura see as she entered the Scotts' locality? 

 Ans. As Laura entered the dark and smoky lane of the Scotts' locality, she saw women in shawls and men's tweed caps hurry by. She also saw some men hung over the palings and the children played in the doorways.

 

56.                        Why did Laura feel awkward as she was entering the Scotts' house? 

 Ans. On her way to enter the Scotts' house, Laura felt awkward because of her lace frock and decorated hat. She felt that she should have put on a coat in place of her fashionable dress.

 

57.                        How did Laura reach the grieving widow? 

 Ans. Originally, Laura did not want to enter the Scotts' cottage. She wanted only to drop the basket of leftover food and leave. But, being confused by the situation and urged to come in, she followed Mr. Scott's sister and faced the grieving widow. 

 

58.                        How did Mrs. Scott look? 

 Ans. Laura found Mrs. Scott sitting before the fire. Her face was puffed up and red. Her eyes and lips were swollen too.

She looked terrible.

 

59.                        How was Laura brought before the corpse? 

 Ans. Laura went back to the passage after meeting Mrs. Scott. Mrs. Scott’s sister urged her to come in. She opened door and entered straight into the bedroom where the corpse was lying. 

 

60.                        “Was it awful?”—What is referred to here? What was Laura’s opinion of it? 

 Ans.The dead body of Mr. Scott is referred to here.

Laura answered that it was not awful, rather it was ‘marvellous’ 

 

61.                        Does Laura say anything about life at the end of the story? What does she say? 

 Ans. Laura wanted to say something about life to Laurie. But she could not convey her idea on what life is like. She fails to explain it.

She could only say, “Isn’t it, Laurie?” 

 

62.                        Describe the role of Laura’s mother in shaping Laura’s perception in ‘The Garden Party’. 

 Ans. In Katherine Mansfield’s short-story ‘The Garden Party’, Mrs. Sheridan, Laura’s mother, shapes Laura’s perception in multiple ways. First, she sends Laura to supervise the workmen. It gives Laura autonomy over her own life. Secondly, she tries to distract Laura from her concern for Mr. Scott’s death and tries to teach Laura of their class values, and not be sensitive to the affairs of the lower class. But, Laura's perception is not entirely shaped by her mother’s efforts. 

 

63.                        How does the story reflect the contemporary society? 

 Ans. In 'The Garden Party ' by Katherine Mansfield, the garden becomes the symbol of social status. The garden of the Sheridan family is for aesthetic enjoyment. But the garden of the poor neighbours is a source of kitchen items. Thus, the garden reveals social inequality in the contemporary society.

64.                        Who is the protagonist of the story ‘The Garden Party’ ? What changes the protagonist's perception about life and death?

 Ans. Laura Sheridan is the protagonist of the story ‘The Garden Party’. 

Her encounter with death in the form of Mr. Scott’s dead body changes her perception of life and death.

 

65.                        What is the main conflict in ‘The Garden Party’? 

 Ans. In 'The Garden Party', the main conflict is between Laura's upbringing and the reality, between the Sheridan family's luxurious garden-party and the tragedy in the impoverished neighbourhood. 

 

66.                        When did Laura stammer in ‘The Garden Party’?

 Ans. In ‘The Garden Party’, Laura stammered twice. The first time was when she started a conversation with the workmen. She stammered because of her unnatural voice. At the end of the story, Laura stammered once more when she could not explain her experience regarding life and death to Laurie. 

67.   How does Katherine Mansfield show the conflict between old and new technology in the story?

 Ans. The Industrial Revolution brought about a change in transportation. The cause of Mr. Scott's death is the meeting of old technology (a cart) with new technology (a traction-engine). This death shows the march of the Industrial Revolution over the traditional mode of transportation.

 

68. What does Laura realise at the end of the story 'The Garden Party'? 

 Ans. At the end of the story, Laura realises the reality of class differences, the superficiality of her own class and the fleeting nature of life. She feels that death makes no distinction between the rich and the poor.