The Garden Party Question Answer | Katherine Mansfield
1. Describe the role of Laura’s mother in shaping Laura’s perception in ‘The Garden Party’.
Mrs. Sheridan was a class-conscious, manipulative, domineering woman who played a crucial role in shaping Laura’s perception. When Laura expressed her profound empathy for the Scott family and requested her mother to cancel the garden party, she calmly but coldly warned her. She explicitly made her stand clear about the accident and the garden party. People like Scotts were not worthy of their (rich people’s) sacrifices. The beautiful hat given by her successfully distracted Laura and forced her to act otherwise.
2. How does the garden reflect the contemporary society?
Mansfield’s ‘The Garden Party’ centres around the garden party of Sheridan family. The garden with its unending treasure of trees and flowers reflects the fine taste of the aristocratic upper class Sheridan family. The trimmed bush, mowing grass all reflect the sophisticated but superficial values of the contemporary society. It is the paradise of wealthy people but lacks depth of humanity.
3. Explore the symbolism of the Sheridan family’s Garden in the story.
Mansfield in her short story ‘The Garden Party’ uses the garden of Sheridan family to symbolize their superficial and showy status. The garden is flawlessly organised and trimmed by a gardener. It can be compared with the Biblical Garden of Eden. The garden is enriched with beautiful flowers. Flowers are laden with hidden meaning. The roses in the garden stand for showy wealth. The lavender which is smelt by the workman symbolizes devotion and virtue.
The lilies signify death and resurrection. It underscores the theme of fleeting Time and impermanence of life. The karaka trees represent the only native flavour of the story. Though they are “lovely” and “beautiful”, are pathetically hidden behind the marquee. It somehow symbolizes the eager cravings of the wealthy New Zealanders to imitate the British sophistication, ignoring their own culture. Thus, Mansfield uses the garden judiciously as a motif to explicate the various themes of the story.
4. Discuss the various themes as exhibited in ‘The Garden Party’.
Katherine Mansfield in her beautiful short story ‘The Garden Party’ incorporates and illustrates various themes like class awareness and appearance versus reality, sensitivity and indifference etc. With help of these themes the author exhibits the social hiatus between the rich and the poor class and the eloquence in death.
The theme of class consciousness is brought out in the story by showing Laura’s sense of kinship with the workers and simultaneously her apathy for the rich class of people. The children of the Sheridan family are not allowed to visit the neighbourhood, crowded with poverty – stricken people. Mrs Sheridan’s attitude towards everything highlights the tragic gap between the two classes of people.
Another theme is Apperarance versus Reality. All the grandeur, pomp and wealth of Sheridan family collapse when Laura visits the Scott family and encounters the dead body. She realizes the fleeting nature of beautiful life, so uncertain and insecure, but at the same time discovers the true reality of death which redeems the soul and delivers ceaseless serenity of the life.
The theme of sensitivity and indifference is magnificently illustrated by the narrator as she shows Laura being sympathetic and kind to the workers, band of musicians, the poor neighbourhood people and on the contrary Mrs. Sheridan’s and Jose’s passive indifference to all of them. While Laura acts as a true human being, the other characters remain indifferent and reserved. Though Mrs. Sheridan finally sends Laura to deliver the leftover food of the party, her previous remark that those people do not deserve their sacrifices somehow mars the jovial tone of the party.
5. How does Laura’s interaction with the workmen dif- fer from that of other members of the family, and what does this reveal about her character?
Unlike other members of the family Laura’s interaction with workmen was more respectful and more friendly. While all the members are indifferent to and detached from the so-called lower class, Laura feels a sense of oneness with these people too.
This characteristic feature of Laura reveals her genuine empathy and a desire to connect with the people beyond her class.
6. What, do you think, is the symbolic meaning of the lilies ordered by Mrs. Sheridan for the party?
Lilies are often associated with purity and innocence, which contrasts with the Sheridan family’s superficiality and class pretensions. Again lilies are also used in funeral rites, foreshadowing the death of Mr. Scott and highlighting the contrast between life’s fragility and Sheridan’s focus on trivialities. Lastly, the exotic, expensive lilies may symbolize the Sheridans’ desire to showcase their wealth and status.
7. How does Katherine Mansfield use the setting to underscore the theme of social inequality in ‘The Garden Party’?
Katherine Mansfield uses idyllic garden setting of the Sheridans’ estate, juxtaposed with the impoverished lane leading to the cottage of the deceased man. It highlights the stark social division and the obliviousness of the wealthy class to the plight of the poor or the so-called lower class.
8. How does the theme of class distinction affect Laura’s internal conflict throughout the story?
Class distinction existing in the idea of the rich and the poor is the main theme of the story ‘The Garden Party’. It creates a kind of moral dilemma for Laura as she struggles with her inherent empathy for the less fortunate and the shallow against the ignorant attitudes instilled in her by her privileged upbringing.
9. How is the theme of life and death manifested in the story, particularly through Laura’s perspective?
The theme of life and death is evident throughout the story ‘The Garden Party’. But, the theme is more focused in Laura’s realization of the transient nature of life and the superficiality of social events. She is prompted within herself to get a deeper meaning of existence and mortality which matured her in the course of life’s journey.
10. How does the news of Mr. Scott’s accident affect the mode of the garden party?
The news of the accidental death of the young carter, Mr. Scott, might deliver a tremendous blow on the smooth flow of the garden party. But, the Sheridans prioritize social appearances over empathy. So, the death of a poor man casts no mark on the garden party. Only Laura suffers from inner conflict while maintaining the party and showing compassion for the bereaved family.
11. Why does Laura struggle with the decision to continue with the party after hearing about the accident?
On hearing the news of the accidental death of poor Scott, Laura feels it would be a very insensitive act to celebrate the garden party while their neighbour grieves. She wants to stop the party. But, no member of the family pays heed to her words. So, Laura struggles with the decision to continue the party following her conflict between upholding social traditions and genuine compassion for the deceased family.
12. How does the setting of the Sheridans’ garden contrast with the setting of the deceased man’s house?
The Sheridans’ garden is lush and perfect, symbolizing wealth and comfort, while the deceased man’s house is dark and poor. It highlights the stark differences in their social and economic conditions.
13. What does Laura’s visit to the deceased man’s house teach her about life and death?
Laura’s visit to the deceased man’s family teaches her about the seriousness and inevitability of death. The sharp contrast with the trivial concerns of her social world ultimately prompts her to reflect on the deeper aspects of life.
14. How does the author use Laura’s observation to reveal her thoughts on social class?
Laura in Katherine Mansfield’s story ‘The Garden Party’ has been drawn with a good deal of the writer’s insight. She is a perfect human being, possessing some good qualities of life. She has admiration for the workmen, pity for poor family, humane feeling for the dead and empathy for the bereaved ones. Thus, Mansfield uses Laura’s observation of humane relationship to show her growing realization of the unfairness and artificiality of class division.
15. What is the significance of Laura’s mother’s giving her the hat in the story, ‘The Garden Party’?
The giving of the hat to Laura, by her mother, is highly symbolic and significant too. The hat represents adulthood and growing maturity, which Laura is transitioning into. Giving of the hat of Mrs. Sheridan signifies passing on responsibility and symbolically ‘crowning’ Laura as the new hostess. The hat also stands for Sheridans’ social status which Laura must preserve. This small gesture sets the tone for Laura’s growth and self-discovery throughout the story.
16. What difference of reaction can be noticed in the behaviour of Laura and her family members with the news of death of a poor neighbour?
Having got the news of death of Mr. Scott, a poor neighbour of the Sheridans, Laura reacts with empathy and desires to stop the garden party. As such she pleads “they’re nearly neighbours” and holding the party would be “terribly heartless” of them whereas her family sees the death as insignificant. It reflects her compassion compared to the lack of concern of the other family members.
17. What role do the flowers play in ‘The Garden Party’ and how are they related with the theme of the story?
Flowers like rose and lilies are brought in the garden party. Normally those flowers symbolize love and beauty keeping parity with the status in the Sheridans’ world. But, they stand in sharp contrast with the harsh poverty, grief and bereavement of the neighbouring family. Thus, the flowers highlight the theme of the story showing of the difference between the rich and the poor.
18. Why does Laura feel a connection to the deceased man’s family even though she does not know them?
There is no specific reason for Laura’s feeling a connection to the deceased man’s family. But, it is clearly understood from Laura’s action and behaviour that it is her inherent nature that makes her feel empathy for the bereaved family. She is greatly stirred by their sorrow which shows her compassionate nature and sensitivity to others’ suffering.