What role does Mrs. Sheridan play in ‘The Garden Party’?
Ans. In Katherine Mansfield’s short story ‘The Garden Party’, Mrs. Sheridan is the main organiser of the garden-party. She is Laura’s mother and an embodiment of upper-class insensitivity. She is the driving force behind the family’s extravagant garden-party. While she insists on dividing the job of preparation among her children, she instructs all.
From ordering canna lilies to instructing Laura to supervise the workmen, from entertaining the guests to bidding good-byes, from meeting the demands of the cook to sending Laura to the Scott family, she acts as the controlling authority in all affairs. We can assume that the party’s extravagancies are a reflection of her own. Her authoritative manner and calm reaction to the news of the carter’s death stop Laura from voicing her disagreement. She expresses concern not out of her sympathy for the Scott family, but because it might spoil their party. Her words and actions reflect her superficial and showy appearance. She is very tactful in handling any sort of trouble. When Laura pleads to cancel the party, she puts a decorated hat on Laura’s head to distract her. After the party is over, Mr. Sheridan brings up the news of the tragic death. She considers this mention ‘tactless’ but feigns (P) sympathy by instructing Laura to deliver a basket of leftovers to the Scotts. With her indifference to the plight of the lower class, Mrs. Sheridan represents the privileged and their values.
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