The Garden Party questions and answers | XI WBCHSE 2nd Semester

The Garden Party questions and answers | XI WBCHSE 2nd Semester

What is the climax of the story “The Garden Party”?

Ans. The story reaches its climax as Laura walks away from the Sheridan’s wealthy home on the hill down to the Scott’s impoverished home in its literally and metaphorical shadow. She leaves behind the bright, open gaiety of the garden party and moves into the dark, enclosed sadness of the deceased man’s wake. Like a Greek hero, Laura descends into the underworld. Acting as her guide the widow’s sister takes Laura into the home, to the grieving Mrs. Scott, and finally to the bedroom where the deceased lies. Gazing upon the body, Laura experiences an epiphany. Rather than feeling uncomfortable on distressed, Laura feels reassured. Mr. Scott looks like he is asleep and at peace. He no longer suffers the weariness of the world. She realizes that there is beauty in both life and death. And death is the great equalizer that ignores distinction class the entirely.

Comment on the theme of Journey with reference to the story, “The Garden Party”?

Ans. The theme of the journey is used in this story to illustrate Laura’s course of passage from childishness to maturity. As the story progresses, Laura moves from the interiors of the Sheridan home with its abundance of domestic detail, to the sunlit garden and later to a region beyond this enclosed and protective space of primary identity. This journey starts in gathering darkness as Laura crosses the road to where the lane becomes “smoky and dark.” She enters the cottage, travels down a “narrow, dark passage” to the claustrophobic kitchen, past the grief-stricken widow with “swollen eyes and swollen lips” to look upon the calm beauty of the face of the dead carter at the culmination of the journey. At the end of passage, Laura gains an insightful vision of life and death.

Describe the Character of Mr. Scott in the story “The Garden Party”.

Ans. Mr. Scott is a carter who dies tragically when his horse throws him off after shying away from a traction engine. He resides in one of the little cottages below the Sheridan house and is succeeded by five kids and a wife. His death allows Laura to contemplate life’s uncertainty as well as unfairness in the prevalent social distinctions. As one of the representatives of the working section of society, his character exemplifies the economic crisis men of his class endures when alive and the lack of sympathy from rich masses when dead. They occupy an insignificant position in the lives of the wealthy, emphasizing the rigid disparity.

What are the examples of modernism in the story, “The Garden Party”?

Ans. Katherine Mansfield‘s “The Garden Party” exhibits several modernist elements, including experimentation with narrative structure, stream-of-consciousness narration, focus on individual perception, emphasis on the mundane, rejection of traditional narrative techniques. The story’s non-linear narrative, fragmented scenes, and lack of clear plot progression and characteristic of modernist experimentation. Laura’s inner thoughts and feelings are presented in a fluid, unstructured manner, mirroring the natural flow of consciousness. The story emphasizes Laura’s subjective experience, highlighting her thoughts, emotions and observations. The story elevates everyday life and ordinary events to a level of significance, challenging traditional notions of literary subject matter. The story avoids conventional narrative devices, such as clear plot resolution, elements contribute to the story’s innovative and influential style, which continues to resonate with readers and writers today.

How does Jose’s song function in the story, “The Garden Party”?

Ans. Jose’s song in “The Garden Party” serves several purposes. Firstly, the song’s lighthearted, carefree- nature contrasts with the somber reality of Mr. Scott’s death highlighting the disconnect between the Sheridan family’s world and the outside reality. Secondly, the song creates a festive atmosphere, emphasizing the artificial joy of superficiality of the garden party. Thirdly, Jose’s choice of song reveals her personality, showcasing her confidence, playfulness and desire to entertain. Fourthly the song’s lyrics, “make no mistake, make no mistake” can be seen as foreshadowing the mistake Laura makes in visiting the Scotts’ home and confronting reality. Fifthly, the songs interruption by the news of Mrs. Scott’s death disrupts the party’s atmosphere symbolizing the intrusion of reality into the Sheridan’s artificial world. Lastly, the song memory lingers, creating as emotional resonance that underscores the contrast between the party’s joy and the sadness of Mr. Scott’s death. By incorporating Jose’s songs Mansfield adds depth, contrast, and emotional resonance to the narrative, highlighting the complexities of human experience.

What has Laura learnt by the end of the story? Has she rejected her family values? Does Laurie understand his sister?

Ans. Laura has learned by the end of the story that there is a profound difference between the poor working class cottagers who live near her and her own affluent world, Laura also learns empathy, reality, self-awareness and compassion.

Laura hasn’t entirely rejected her family values, but she has begun to question and challenge them. She is no longer content with the superficiality of her life and is seeking a deeper understanding of the world. However, it’s unclear if Laurie fully comprehends the depth of Laura’s transformation or the extent of her newfound understanding. His character serves more as a witness, to Laura’s growth rather than a fully developed participant in her journey.

Describe the theme of dream and reality in the story, “The Garden Party”.

Ans. Illusion and reality are central themes in “The Garden Party.” The world of the Sheridans is consistently characterized as part of a dream that suppresses and excludes the working-class world. The sorrows of the real world are present here only in the pretty song that Jose sings before the garden party.

When Laura endorses the rituals of the garden party, for example, the reality outside of the party seems to be an illusion to her: “She had a glimpse of that poor women and those little children, and the body being carried into the house, but it all seemed blurred, unreal, like a picture in the newspaper.” Ever when Laura travels beyond the confines of the Sheridan garden, the dream continues as she carries the sensations of the party with her. It seemed to her that kisses, voices, tinkling spoons, laughter, the small of crushed grass were somehow inside her.

Why does Laura say “Forgive my hat” to Mr. Scott’s body in the story, “The Garden Party”?

Ans. This part of the story comes when Laura takes a basketful of food to the Scott family as a token of sympathy for the death of Mr. Scott, who died in an accident that morning. As she goes in to see the body, even though she would rather just leave and go without seeing the corpse. This is an immense surprise to Laura who sees his peacefulness as a rebuke on the frivolous garden party that she and her family have just given. However, in spite of this beauty and peace that the body exudes, she feels the pressure to cry and to say something to him. Clearly overwhelmed with the epiphany that she has experienced, Laura, mumbles the first thing that comes to her mind, which is the fact that she had not removed her hat in the presence of the dead (a cultural norm). This is why she says, “Forgive my hat” before leaving.

How does Laura grow and mature from her experiences in “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield, and what might her future hold?

Ans. Laura’s experiences in “The Garden Party” catalyze her growth and maturation in several ways: Firstly, Laura develops a deeper understanding of others, particularly the Scott’s and begins to see beyond, her own privileged perspective. Secondly, she confronts the harsh realities of life including death and poverty, which challenges her sheltered worldview. Thirdly, Laura starts to question her own values, privilege, and place in the world, indicating a growing sense of self-awareness. Lastly, she begins to experience and express emotions more authentically, moving beyond her initial superficiality.

Given this growth, Laura’s future might hold continued exploration, social awareness, independence. Laura may continue to explore the world beyond her family’s social circle, seeking new experiences and connections. She may become more involved in social issues, using her newfound empathy to make a positive impact. She may assert her independence from her family’s expectations, forging her own path in life.

What is the role of money in Katherine Mansfield’s, “The Garden Party”?

Ans. In “The Garden Party”, money plays a significant role in class distinction, materialism, privilege, social status, and emotional insulation. The story highlights the contrast between the wealthy Sheridan family and the working-class Scotts, emphasizing the social divide. The garden party itself is a display of the Sheridan’s wealth, showcasing their material possessions and lavish lifestyle. Laura’s, family uses their wealth to maintain a sense of priviledge and superiority, isolating themselves from the realities of others. Money is used to maintain social status, as seen the Sheridan’s. It is the efforts to host an impressive garden party. The Sheridan’s wealth provides emotional insulation, shielding them from the difficulties and sorrows of others. Mansfield critiques the excesses of wealth and the social. Conventions that perpetuate class divisions, highlights the limitations and emptiness of a life focused solely on material possessions and status. Through Laura’s Journey, the story suggests that true growth and understanding come from confronting and transcending these limitations.

How does Mansfield reveal about class disparity in the story “The Garden Party”?

Ans. Class disparity and its poignant operation throughout the narrative is the most evident themes of the story exposing the vanity of the upper class and the vulnerability of the lower one. The party at the Sheridans magnifies the difference inherent in the early 20th century when death in their neighbourhood threatened the event. Women like Mrs. Sheridan and Jose believe in their unaccountability for the loss of their neighbours and hence an absence of a justifiable cause to postpone their party. On the other hand, Laura who belongs to the same family and hence the same class believes in the insensitivity and immorality that the party would project with its lights and music in the mournful atmosphere at the Scott’s cottage. For the upper ranks, it is crucial to maintain their reputation as they cannot afford to lose their standing in the circle they move in and sympathy with the poor would welcome that dread. But it is Laura and to some extent Laurie who recognize the truth concerning the harsh reality that life often throws towards a human, to which the rich like the Sheridans have been immune.

Describe the theme of gender disparity (man vs woman) in the Story.

Ans. Man versus woman does not overtly shadow the narrative but through the parallelism in characterization of the siblings Laura and Laurie, it becomes an area of exploration in the story. Like most of her stories, Mansfield opts for a female protagonist gradually learning the notion of hardships, especially poverty and death when she learns about and subsequently witnesses the dead body of Mr. Scott at his premises. Emotions engulf her and her impulse is dominated by feelings rather than rationality which her brother somehow represents. Men choose to keep a safe distance from emotions and on Laura’s inability to articulate her refreshed view on life after encountering the cottage life momentarily, Laurie confirms her take but with an air of indifference and helplessness. He like others of his class has accepted the inequalities and does not wish to bridge the gap like Laura who desires to be in the company of the workmen rather than the silly boys she usually danced with. Women tend to be more considerate than men, as is evident in Mrs. Sheridan’s gesture to supply the cottage kids with the leftover food, though her time of the offering is inappropriate. They are concerned about the gossip that prevents Mrs. Sheridan from encouraging Laura to offer any condolences to the distressed only while delivering the basket, opposite to the men who just mentioned the tragedy in passing as a part of a casual conversation.

Comment on the theme of materialism in with reference to the story, “The Garden Party”.

Ans. If there is one obsession the upper class indulges in, it is beautiful dresses and hats. They need to reflect your identity through material possessions. It is the key characteristic that defines the men and women of this class. Hats play a significant role in the story because they act as a constant reminder to Laura of her role as a hostess for the party and not of the worrisome human anticipating to cancel the party due to the tragic accident of a poor worker whom she even doesn’t know in person. The rich are also capable of replacing emotions with material goods such as Mrs. Sheridan’s basket deliverance to the Scott household rather than a conveyance of condolences. What good a basket full of delicious food will do to the kids of the family who have just lost their father? Will they enjoy the treat of the farcical benevolence of their rich neighbours? Will they relish in the delicacies supplied to them during the period of mourning? The answer is quite predictable.

How does imagery enhance understanding of “The Garden Party’s themes?

Ans. Imagery in “The Garden Party” enhances understanding of its themes in several ways. The vibrant garden party and the bleak Scotts’ home create a stark contrast, highlighting social class differences and the artificiality of the Sheridans’ world. The garden, flowers, and trees symbolize life, beauty, and growth, while also underscoring the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Light represents an understanding, empathy, and isolation connection, while darkness symbolizes ignorance, and disconnection. Vibrant colors like red and yellow contrast with muted tones, emphasizing the distinction between the Sheridans’ artificial world and the Scotts’ harsh reality. Mansfield’s use of sensory details, like sounds, smells, and textures, immerses readers in the world and emphasizes the emotional impact of Laura’s experiences. Objects like the marquee, the piano, and the hat symbolize social status, identity, and conformity, adding depth to the narrative. The description of Mr. Scott’s body and funeral emphasizes the reality of death, contrasting with the Sheridans’ attempts to avoid and deny it. By employing imagery, Mansfield creates a rich and nuanced narrative.

Why do the workmen refuse to put up the marquee on the Lily Lawn in “The Garden Party”?

Ans. The workmen refuse to put up the marquee on the Lily Lawn in “The Garden Party” because they recognize that the Lily Lawn is too soggy and soft, making it an unsuitable location for the marquee. As experienced workmen, they know that setting up the marquee on the Lily Lawn would risk damaging the structure and causing problems for the party. The workmen may also be hesitant to disturb the beautiful and fragile Lily Lawn, showing a sense of respect for nature and the garden aesthetic. By refusing to set up the marquee on the lily lawn, the workmen assert their expertise and independence, subtly questioning the family decisions. The workmen’s refusal underscores the tension between the natural world and, the artificial, superficial atmosphere of the garden party. This incident hints at the eventual disruption of the party by the news of Mr. Scott’s death, which will shatter the Sheridans carefully constructed social facade.

Describe the character of Meg Sheridan.

Ans. Meg Sheridan, one of Laura’s sisters, possesses a manner and attitude similar to that of Jose and Mrs. Sheridan. The reader first encounters Meg as she comes down to breakfast with her freshly washed hair wrapped up in a green turban and a “dark wet curl stamped on each cheek”. She refuses to go and supervise the workmen assembling the party tent because her hair is wet, so that responsibility falls to Laura. Her characters does not delve deeply into the moral dilemmas of the story but instead adheres to the superficial concerns of their social class. She, too, mirrors the upper class’s ignorance of the lower class’s struggles, further spotlighting the vast social divide depicted in the story.

“My dear child, it’s no use asking me. I’m determined to leave everything to you children this year. Forget I am your mother. Treat me as an honoured guest.” Who said this? What did the speaker explain through these lines?

Ans. Mrs. Sheridan said this in the story, “The Garden Party”. Workmen have come to put up the marquee for the party. One of the children asks their mother where in the garden she would like it situated. Her response shows readers that she has entrusted her children with the responsibility of planning and managing the party. “This year” shows that this is a change from previous parties. By asking the kids to forget that she is their mother and treat her like an honoured guest, she changes the family’s status quo. Instead of managing, she wants to be waited on. She is quick to show that this idea is a pretense when two paragraphs later she directs Laura to tend to the workmen.

“But, my dear child, use your common sense. It’s only by accident we’ve heard of it. If some one had died there normally and I can’t understand how they keep alive in those poky little holes we should still be having our party, shouldn’t we?”

Who said this? Explain the lines with reference to the speaker’s character.

Ans. Mrs. Sheridan said this in the story. “The Garden Party.” After finding no sympathy with Jose about canceling the party, Laura goes to her mother, whom she expects to be with her. She is surprised to find that her mother agrees with Jose. To make things worse, she seems to find Laura’s idea to be humorous. Mrs. Sheridan has a warped idea of what “common sense” is. In her mind, the accident is only a problem because they know about it. If they had not known about the accident, they would not think of canceling the party. In a way, Mrs. Sheridan believes that ignorance is bliss. Her common sense reflects a very self-centered view of the world. And by calling it common sense, she suggests that most people would agree with her. Additionally, Mrs. Sheridan shows her unwillingness or inability to understand the working poor class. She doesn’t know how they live in their small homes, as if the poor live as they do by choice and not due to economic necessity.

As for the roses, you could not help feeling they understood that roses are the only flowers that impress people at garden parties; the only flowers that everybody is certain of knowing. Explain the lines with personification of ‘that roses’.

Ans. The weather is perfect for the Sheridans’ early summer garden party. Their garden is blooming with hundreds of roses. Mansfield personifies the roses, saying that they understand they are the only flowers that impress people at garden parties. The Sheridans also know this, which is why they have so many in their gardens, to impress people. Further, the roses symbolize the Sheridans themselves. The family also wishes to impress people. And like the roses, they impress people with their showiness Additionally, roses are not native to New Zealand. Like the Sheridans, they are transplants.

Explain the line with highlighting the phrase “the green baize door.”

Ans. The baize door is packed with meaning. Baize is a wool or cotton fabric, similar to felt and often coloured green. One of its earliest uses was in covering billiard tables, a practice that continues today. Starting in the 1700s, wealthy British homes featured baize tacked to doors between the staff quarters and the family’s living space as soundproofing insulation. Green baize doors symbolize the dividing line between wealthy homeowners and their working- class staff. The Sheridans’ baize door shows both their wish to separate themselves from the lower classes and their desire to emulate the British upper class.

She found herself in a wretched little low kitchen, lighted by a smoky lamp.” Who is ‘she’? Describe the ‘low kitchen’.

Ans. Here ‘She’ is Laura. Laura has entered the Scotts’ home to deliver her basket of leftover party food to the grieving family. With few words, Mansfield paints a vivid picture of the Scott’s kitchen. It is “wretched,” meaning miserable, unhappy, and very poor in quality. Low can mean that it had a low ceiling, causing a closed-in, claustrophobic feeling. But it can also mean humble. small, depressed, or even lack dignity. The room is lit by only one lamp, which emits smoke. The smoky lamp gives readers an impression of a room that is poorly lit. The air is low-quality and hazy. The surfaces are likely grimy and blackened with soot. This kitchen is very different from the kitchen Laura is used to. Although Mansfield does not directly describe the Sheridan kitchen, readers can easily envision it as being large enough to comfortably hold multiple people and multiple trays of sandwiches and cream puffs. The interactions of Laura, Jose, and Cook create a happy atmosphere in the Shendan kitchen. The atmosphere in the Scott kitchen is much more depressing, which is suitable for a home visited by death.

“It’s all the fault, she decided, as the tall fellow drew something on the back of an envelope, something that was to be looped up or left to hang, of these absurd class distinctions. Well, for her part, she didn’t feel them. Not a bit, not an atom.” What was the speaker’s realization?

Ans. Laura is supervising the workmen’s construction of the marquee. She admires their friendliness and lack of pretense. The wishes she could be friends with men like them instead of the “silly boys” in her own social circle. As she watches them work, she admits that she cannot befriend them due to the social taboos against the mixing of classes. She tells herself that the class distinctions are ridiculous and makes no sense. She lies to herself when she protests that she doesn’t feel the class divisions “not a bit, not an atom.” Laura has grown up with privilege and cannot entirely separate herself from it, at least not at this point in her development. By acknowledging the absurdity of class distinctions, she shows that she is at least beginning to hold views that differ from those of the rest of her family.

“I don’t understand,” said Laura, and she walked quickly out of the room into her own bedroom. There, quite by chance, the first thing she saw was this charming girl in the mirror, in her black hat MB trimmed with gold daisies, and a long black velvet De ribbon. Never had she imagined she could look like Bethat. Is mother right? she thought. And now she hoped her mother was right. Explain the lines.

Ans. Laura is confused. She thought her mother would agree that having the garden party in light of their poor neighbour’s death is wrong, but her mother does not. Considering the matter settled, her mother gives her an extravagant hat. At the moment, Laura cannot bring herself to look at herself wearing it. However, when she accidentally sees herself in her bedroom mirror, she admires her reflection. She has to admit to herself that the hat, and the wealth and privilege it symbolizes, looks good on her. This acknowledgement causes Laura to falter in her emerging ideas about the absurdity of class distinctions. She feels pulled back toward her family and their upper-class values.

“It was simply marvelous. But Laurie-” She stopped, she looked at her brother. “Isn’t life,” she stammered, “isn’t life-” But what life was she couldn’t explain. No matter. He quite understood. What does Laura understand? Explain.

Ans. Laura is returning to her home after having an epiphany at the side of Mr. Scott’s corpse. Instead of revulsion or sadness, Laura feels a sense of peace and contentment. She encounters Laurie, who has come to look for her. He asks if the experience was “awful.” Instead of awful, Laura says it was “marvellous. Marvelous can mean “extraordinary” but it can also mean “causing great wonder” and “miraculous”. And yet, she stammers when she tries to articulate her complex thoughts and the Stoverwhelming feelings about life she has gained from the experience. The narrator says that Laurie understood. However, readers might wonder if he really does. In Laurie’s earlier appearances in the story, he has acted whole-heartedly as upper class. So much so that Laura could not bring herself to ask his opinion on whether they should cancel the party, fearing or knowing that he would side with Jose and their mother. And, having not shared Laura’s experience, how can he truly understand the same.

Read More – Explore the symbolism of the Sheridan family’s Garden in the story