How important are the plot and characters in the story ‘The Garden Party’?

Ans.

Plot and Characters:

Influenced by Anton Chekhov, Katherine Mansfield adopted the technique of emphasising character over plot in order to provoke readers to form their own conclusions about human nature. Characters reveal themselves with occasional comments from the narrator. The plot follows a chronological flow of events with few flashbacks. Mansfield allows the context of each character to unfold the story. There is neither a conventional description of characters nor a set beginning. Rather, it begins abruptly continues with a very subtle dramatic development. The story may be divided into three sections following the three parts of a day: morning, afternoon and evening. In the morning, the Sheridan family prepares for the afternoon garden-party. Mrs. Sheridan assigns the task of organizing the party to her daughters. Mrs. Sheridan instructs Laura, the youngest daughter to supervise the workmen hired to put up the marquee. Laura overcomes her initial awkwardness and becomes friendly with the workers. Her sense of class discrimination dissolves as she interacts with the workers. The arrangement goes on in full swing. Upon hearing the news of the carter’s death, Laura is so shocked that she wants the party to be postponed. However, since her family members do not agree with her, she decides to join the party. Everything is ready by half-past two. The afternoon session of the story begins with the arrival of the guests. success. Mrs. Sheridan and Laura bid farewell to the guests as the party concludes. The evening session starts with the Sheridans’ decision to send a basket of leftover food to the late cart-driver’s family. Once more, The party is a grand the responsibility goes to Laura. Laura reaches one of the downhill cottages immersed in the memory of the party. She finds herself a mismatch in the situation. When she encounters the bereaved widow and the lifeless body of Mr. Scott, she is overtaken by extreme emotion and sobs. This experience of facing a tragic situation transforms Laura. Leaving the poor cottage, she meets Laurie but fails to express herself properly. The events take place over the course of a single day. While the morning stands for innocence, the afternoon stands for conflict and the evening for the maturation of Laura. The tragedy brings about a change in Laura’s perception of life and death. She conceives death as a great equaliser that no one can escape. In fact, the story depicts Laura’s journey from innocence to maturity, from childhood simplicity to adulthood awareness. Laura’s confrontation with death as a mighty equaliser leads to her inner development. She realises that death makes no distinction between the rich and the poor.

Describe the atmosphere as presented in ‘The Garden Party’.

You’ll have to go, Laura; you are the artistic one. – Who says this? Where will Laura have to go? What is the context of the speech? Why will Laura have to go?

Good morning, she said, copying her mother’s voice. – Who is ‘she’? Why did she copy her mother’s voice? Why did she stammer? What made her recover?

Describe the setting of The Garden Party

Explore the symbolism of the Sheridan family’s garden in the story.

Describe the garden of the Sheridan family.

What is conflict? Bring out the conflict in ‘The Garden Party’.

What is the significance of the title of the short story ‘The Garden Party’?

What role does Mrs. Sheridan play in ‘The Garden Party’?

“Don’t be so extravagant.” – Who said this and to whom? In which context did the speaker say so? What do you consider to be really extravagant?

Sketch the character of Laura

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