The Garden Party Question Answer | Katherine Mansfield | Class 11
1. Who informed Laura about the death of Mr. Scott? How did Mr. Scott die? How did Laura react on receiving the news of the death
Godber’s man who came to supply cream puffs for the garden party informed Laura about the death of Mr. Scott.
Mr. Scott was a cart driver. According to the description of Godber’s man, his horse shied at the unfamiliar sight of a traction engine at the corner of Hawke Street that morning, indicating development of technology. As a result, the carter was thrown out on the back of his head and on the spot he died.
On receiving the news of the death of Mr. Scott, Laura’s immediate reaction was one of astonishment. She could not believe her own ears to learn that the young man is no more. She caught hold of Jose’s sleeves and dragged her through the kitchen to the other side of the green door and horrifyingly told her that they should stop the garden party.
2. “To Laura’s astonishment her mother behaved just like Jose.”-How did Jose behave with Laura? Why is the mother’s behaviour compared to that of Jose
On receiving the news of the death of Mr. Scott, Laura became much horrified and told Jose that they should stop the garden party. At this, Jose perfectly carrying on the ideals of Mrs. Sheridan was so amazed that she called Laura’s idea ‘absurd’. According to Jose, there was no cause of stopping the garden party for the death of a man of working class.
When Laura came to her mother with the same problem she too behaved with Laura in the same way as Jose did. What is more, it was harder to bear because she seemed amused with the news and she did not consider Laura seriously. Furthermore, she advised Laura to use her common sense about a death which was not more important to her than her luxurious party. Laura’s feeling for the deceased person and the idea of stopping the party appeared ‘absurd’ to both of them and that is why the mother’s behaviour is compared to that of her daughter, Jose.
3. What do the flowers in ‘The Garden Party’ signify? How do the flowers contrast with the neighbour’s tragedy? What do they symbolize in the context of the story
Flowers are symbol of beauty and purity. In Katherine Mansfield’s story ‘The Garden Party’ they symbolize beauty, wealth and care taken by the Sheridans to maintain their social image during the party.
The flowers are vibrant and their appearance is meticulously arranged. So, they stand in sharp contrast with the somber and grim reality of the neighbour’s death.
In the context of the story they symbolize superficial concerns of the wealthy people who superficially focus on aesthetics but they literally ignore the deeper issues of a poor man’s suffering and common mortality.
4. How do Laura’s family members respond to the news of their neighbour’s death? How does Lau- ra’s reaction differ from theirs? What do these responses indicate about the exploration of empa- thy in the story
On receiving the news of the death of a poor neighbour Laura’s family members respond with indifference. It was just an unfortunate event but not significant enough to postpone their party events.
Laura’s reaction is one of concern and empathy, feeling the need to stop the party out of respect for the bereaved family.
In the story ‘The Garden Party’ these different responses highlight exploration of empathy contrasting the self-centered nature of the upper class with Laura’s developing awareness and compassion for others’ suffering.
5. “She had one of her brilliant ideas.” Who had a “brilliant idea”? What is the “brilliant idea”? How did she execute the idea
In Katherine Mansfield’s story ‘The Garden Party’ Mrs. Sheridan had a brilliant idea.
The party being over, when only the family members were there to discuss about the death of Mr. Scott, Mrs. Sheridan suddenly looked up and noticed a huge amount of leftover food like sandwiches, cakes, cream puffs etc. all uneaten and to be wasted. Mrs. Sheridan’s “brilliant idea” was to send those food items to the family of the deceased person.
Having got this “brilliant idea”, Mrs. Sheridan jumped up and called Laura to bring the big basket out of their stairs cupboard thinking that sending “some of this perfectly good food” for “that poor creature” was necessary and it would be the “greatest treat for the children.” Although Laura was reluctant to take scraps from their party to the house of a dead person, she had to do the same. And this is how Mrs. Sheridan executed her “brilliant idea” through Laura.
6. “You’ll have to go, Laura……….”-Why will no one else but Laura have to go and where? How did Laura accept this proposal
In the early morning of the garden party the workmen for the marquee came before the completion of the breakfast and Laura asked Mrs. Sheridan about the place of setting up the marquee. In reply Mrs. Sheridan said that Meg could not possibly go and supervise the men because she had washed her hair before breakfast and she was busy drinking her coffee. Jose, according to her mother, was like a butterfly, who always came down in a silk petticoat and a kimono jacket. Only Laura was the artistic one. So, she was to go to the place of setting up of the marquee to supervise the workmen.
Laura gladly and enthusiastically accepted the proposal. Holding her piece of bread-and-butter Laura went outdoors. It was delicious to have an excuse for eating outdoors. Mrs. Sheredan had her faith on her ability to supervise the outdoor work. In fact, she could do it better than anybody else. And she engaged herself in rendering her service as required for the garden party.
7. “She stopped a minute.”-Who stopped and where? Why did she stop? What did she do after that
While carrying the basket of left over food to the house of the dead person, Laura Sheridan stopped on the road that leads to the little cottages of the working class people from their garden gate.
It was just growing dusky as Laura was going down the hill to somewhere where a man lay dead and she could not realize it. A mental conflict stops her on the road. She was in a dilemma whether it was right to go to the house of the dead with the things she had taken with her after a ‘successful party’.
Laura’s visit to the house of the dead sounded in her present condition strange in her mind. She looked up the sky and it looked pale. Her thoughts became pale too. However, unknowingly she stepped forward, crossed the broad road, passed through the smoky dark lane and the mean little cottage and walking up a tiny path she stood before closed door of the house of the dead man amidst some staring eyes of the people of Mr. Scott’s class.
8. “Laura came”-Where did Laura come? What did she find there? How did it affect her
In Katherine Mansfield’s story ‘The Garden Party’ Laura Sheridan in the present situation came to the room where young Mr. Scott lay dead.
Entering the room Laura found the young man dead, seemed to be fast asleep-sleeping so soundly, so deeply and so peacefully as if, he was dreaming. His head was sunk in the pillow and his eyes were closed under eyelids, giving a picture of his eternal sleep and infinite peace, in a land far away from this mundane reality.
Laura’s visit to the house of the dead left a great impact in her mind. Standing in front of the dead body she found a deeper meaning of life and death. She realised the frivolities of the wealthy lifestyle. Neither the sound of the band, nor the laughter of the garden party could disturb his sleep. At this moment she found happiness in the sleeping face. To Laura, it was not just a death; rather it was a journey to a distant land of eternal peace and serenity.
9. How does Laura’s visit to the house of the deceased person affect her? What does she learn from this visit? How does this experience change her view of life
In Katherine Mansfield’s story ‘The Garden Party’ Laura’s visit to the house of the deceased person profoundly affects her as she sees the reality of death and the sombre conditions of the grieving family, contrasting sharply with her own privileged life.
As she visits the house of a dead person and faces the stark reality of life, she learns about the fragility of life and the differences in how people experience tragedy based on their social understanding.
This experience changes her view of life, making her see the garden party as a frivolous and insensitive celebration in light of the neighbour’s death. It also deepens her understanding of empathy and social awareness.
10. What role does the theme of life and death play in ‘The Garden Party’? How does this theme contribute to Laura’s character development? What message does the story convey about societal values
Katherine Mansfield’s dealing with the theme of life and death plays a vital role in the growth of the story. It presents a contrast between the joyous garden party and the harsh reality of a neighbour’s death. It reminds the readers of the transient nature of life and the superficiality of social celebration.
The theme of life and death, however, significantly contributes to Laura’s character development as she undergoes a serious transition, from being excited about the party to feeling empathetic and aware of the deeper meaning of life and death.
The story conveys a message about the need for greater empathy and awareness, criticizing societal values that prioritize appearances and wealth over compassion and understanding.
11. Comment on the theme of Mansfield’s short story ‘The Garden Party’? Explain how the form of a short story helps in conveying the theme
See first paragraph of Answer 14 for the first part of this question.
‘The Garden Party’ is a modern short story. It follows third person narration, i.e., the narrator and the protagonist are not same. But through the narrator we get a glimpse into the inner thoughts and conflicts of Laura. Thus we know how sceptical she was about continuing with the party so close to a death scene. The story also leaves us hanging at the end where we do not know what Laura meant by “Isn’t Life”. This effect could not have been achieved through longer text types like a novel or play.
12. How does Katherine Mansfield depict class distinction in her short story “The Garden Party”
Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Garden Party’ is indeed a story of social class distinction. In this story, Mrs. Sheridan’s family represents the higher class whereas their neighbour, Mr. Scott’s family belongs to the lower class. The lives and attitude of the Sheridan family is quite different from those of the Scott family. The Sheridans’ luxurious lifestyle noted by their grand house, servants and lavish garden party stand in sharp contrast with poverty-stricken hardship faced by the so called lower class. This disparity is further emphasized by the Sheridans’ indifference to the death of their lower-class neighbour, a cart driver, Mr. Scott. The act of sending leftover food to the bereaved family of Mr. Scott strengthens this disparity once again.
13. Explain the significance of the roses in ‘The Garden Party’
Rose is the symbol of love and beauty. In the context of ‘The Garden Party’ roses symbolize beauty, status, and the superficial concerns of the Sheridans. They are cared for, served as a point of pride during the party, highlighting the family’s focus on appearances and social standing. The roses’ perfection contrasts with the tragedy of the nearby death, emphasizing the disconnection between the Sheridans’ luxurious life and the harsh realities faced by others. For Laura, the roses initially represent the allure of her privileged world, but as she becomes more aware of the suffering around her, they come to symbolize the superficiality and insensitivity of her social environment.
14. When did the inmates of the Sheridan family become ready for the garden party and how did the party actu- ally go on
The lunch being over, the inmates of the Sheridan family became ready for the garden party by half- past two. The green-coated band had arrived and was placed in a corner of the tennis court. Laurie also arrived at that time. Soon after that the invited guests came pouring in and the band struck up announcing the start of the party.
The hired waiters ran from the house to the marquee. The couples kept on strolling all around bending to the flowers, greeting, moving on over the lawn expressing happiness by pressing hands and cheeks and smiling into eyes along with rich and delicious food like sandwiches, cakes, cream puffs etc. All looked like bright birds alighted in the Sheridans’ garden for that afternoon. This is how the delightful garden party “slowly ripened; slowly faded, slowly its petals closed” and it was the greatest success of the Sheridans.
15. Write a brief note on the character of Laura Sheridan
Laura is the protagonist of the story “The Garden Party’. She is a sensitive and thoughtful young girl who begins the day excitingly about the garden party her family is hosting. However, her encounter with the news of a poor neighbour’s death awakens her to the realities of social inequality and mortality. She shows empathy and compassion, feeling deeply for the deceased man’s family and questioning the appropriateness of continuing the party. Her experience about life and death in the midst of wealth and poverty symbolizes a journey from innocence to awareness.
16. Write a brief note on the character of Mrs. Sheridan
Mrs. Sheridan, Laura’s mother is practical and focuses on social status. She represents hard-hearted wealthy people of the early twentieth century New Zealand. She is excited about the garden party and is more concerned with its success than the news of the death of a poor neighbour. In fact, she is so class conscious that the death of a man belonging to lower class does not move her at all. She also represents the upper class’s detachment from the struggles of the lower class. Her casual dismissal of the tragedy next door highlights her insensitivity to the plight of others, emphasizing the social division in the story.
17. What does the death of Mr. Scott symbolize in the story by Mansfield? How does it affect the progress of the garden party
In Katherine Mansfield‘s ‘The Garden Party’ the Sheridans’ neighbour Mr. Scott’s death symbolizes the harsh realities of life that exists beyond the Sheridans’ privileged lifestyle. It serves as a stark reminder of mortality and the suffering faced by those so-called lower class, the less fortunate. The death of Mr. Scott affects the progress of the garden party by introducing a moral conflict for Laura. While her family remains focused on the celebration of the party, Laura’s awareness of the tragedy leads her to question the appropriateness of their festivities, highlighting the insensitivity and detachment of the upper class.
18. What is Laura’s attitude towards the dead man in ‘The Garden Party’
Laura’s attitude towards the dead man is no doubt a reflection of her humanitarian outlook. No sooner does she learn the news of the death of Mr. Scott, a carter and a neighbour of their family, she wants to cancel the party. She cannot think of holding a grand party in the midst of a sad demise, though the man may belong to the lower class. Her upbringing cannot forbid her to be sympathetic towards the bereaved family of the deceased person. Other members of the family do not agree with Laura. She has also a good respect for the deceased person as well as for the poverty-stricken bereaved family from the care of her heart.
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