Sketch the character of Laura

Ans. Laura is the central character of Katherine Mansfield’s short story ‘The Garden Party’. She is the youngest daughter of the Sheridan family. She is a dynamic character who evolves all through the story. She appears to be an innocent girl living within the four walls of an affluent family. Her mother describes her as ‘artistic’. She has neither any experience of the harsh realities of life nor any social contact with the lower-class people. As a result, she initially stammers when addressing the workmen appointed to set up the marquee. Gradually, she overcomes her inertia. She is impressed by the workers. Her idea about the outside world develops. She feels an affinity for the workmen. She prefers their friendliness and simplicity to the boys of her own class. As their supervisor, she instructs the workers at the beginning but becomes flexible enough to accept their suggestions. This flexibility makes her sensitive to Mr. Scott’s death. She is terribly shocked by the fatal accident. She feels empathy for the grieving family and pleads for cancelling the party. Her inner struggle starts when she shows empathy for the Scotts and questions the superficial values of her family. Laura slowly becomes aware of the social disparities between her wealthy family and the working-class people. She is as sensitive to the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch in her world as that in the outer world. When she leaves the garden and goes to the impoverished neighbourhood, her innocence fades. She gains new experience. The death of Mr. Scott opens her eyes. Her visit to the Scotts’ cottage is actually a journey of leaving behind her sheltered childhood and moving towards experience. She ventures into the unknown and encounters death. Gazing at Mr. Scott’s corpse, she transforms into a new person. This person’s perception of life and death is different from Laura. Instead of being repulsed by the deceased, she is truck by the glimpse of peace and freedom from life’s troubles that appeared on his face. Laura’s character reminds us of Oscar Wilde’s Happy Prince, who is shaken by the sorrows and sufferings of the common people.

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?

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