CSP
“The Garden Party” is a short story written by Katherine Mansfield. It was first published in 1922. The story is about a wealthy family preparing for a garden party. During the preparations, they hear about a poor man’s death nearby. The story focuses on Laura, a young girl in the family. She struggles with feelings about wealth and class differences. Mansfield’s story looks at life, death, and social class.
Theme
One important theme is class difference. The Sheridan family is rich, but the poor people live nearby in small houses. Laura feels uncomfortable about this difference. Another theme is life and death. The happy garden party happens at the same time as a man’s death. This contrast makes Laura think about the meaning of life. Another theme is innocence. Laura starts as an innocent girl but learns about sadness and reality.
Tone
The tone of the story is light and happy at the beginning. The family is excited about the party. Later, the tone changes. When Laura hears about the man’s death, she feels serious and thoughtful. The story ends with a soft, dreamy tone as Laura realizes something deep about life.
Mood
The mood is cheerful at first. The family is busy, and the garden looks beautiful. The mood changes when Laura hears about the death. She feels confused and sad. The final mood is quiet and thoughtful when she visits the dead man’s house.
Settings or Background
The story takes place in the early 20th century. The setting is a large house with a big garden. The Sheridan family lives there. They are rich and have servants. Nearby, poor people live in small houses. The story happens during one day, from morning until evening.
Style & Structure
Mansfield’s writing style is simple and clear. She uses short sentences and everyday words. She writes in a realistic way, making the characters and setting feel real. The story is written in third-person narration. The structure follows the events of the day, from the morning preparations to the evening visit.
Characters
Laura Sheridan is the main character. She is young, kind, and sensitive. She starts to see the difference between rich and poor. Mrs. Sheridan is Laura’s mother. She cares about the party and does not worry about the poor people. Mr. Sheridan is the father, but he does not appear much. Jose Sheridan is Laura’s sister. She is practical and does not feel sorry for the poor. Laurie Sheridan is Laura’s brother. He listens to Laura in the end. The workmen help set up the party. The dead man is a poor man who lived nearby. His wife and children are sad after his death.
Detailed Summary
The story begins in the morning at the Sheridan house. The weather is perfect for a garden party. The Sheridan family is preparing. Servants bring food, and workmen set up a tent. Laura is excited. She talks to the workmen and enjoys the preparations. She feels grown-up and important.
A little later, a servant tells them that a man from a poor neighborhood has died. He was a carter and had a wife and children. Laura feels upset. She thinks they should cancel the party. She tells her mother, but Mrs. Sheridan does not agree. She says the party must go on. Laura feels confused, but she follows her mother’s wishes.
The garden party happens. Guests arrive, and everyone enjoys the food and music. Laura wears a beautiful hat that her mother gives her. She forgets about the dead man for a while. Later, after the party, she remembers again. She feels guilty.
Mrs. Sheridan gives Laura a basket of food. She tells her to take it to the dead man’s family. Laura feels nervous, but she goes. When she reaches the house, she sees the dead man lying in the room. He looks peaceful. Laura feels something deep. She realizes something about life and death, but she cannot explain it. When she leaves, she meets her brother Laurie. She tries to speak, but she cannot find the right words. The story ends with Laura’s incomplete words: “Isn’t life—?”
Figures of Speech or Literary Devices
Mansfield uses symbolism in the story. The garden party represents wealth and happiness. The hat Laura wears represents class and beauty. The dead man represents reality and the end of life. There is contrast between the rich and poor. The bright garden is different from the dark house of the dead man. Mansfield also uses imagery. She describes the flowers, food, and house in detail. This makes the setting feel real. There is irony in the story. The Sheridan family enjoys the party while a man has just died. This irony makes the story powerful.
Important Quotations
- “And after all, the weather was ideal. They could not have had a more perfect day for a garden-party if they had ordered it.”
- This sentence shows the happy mood at the start. It also hints at how the family controls things but cannot control life and death.
- “But we can’t possibly have a garden-party with a man dead just outside the front gate.”
- Laura feels sympathy for the poor man’s family. She sees the unfairness in life.
- “Isn’t life—?”
- Laura’s final words are unfinished. She understands something about life, but she cannot explain it. The reader must think about what she means.
Katherine Mansfield’s The Garden Party is a story about class, innocence, and the meaning of life. It starts with happiness but ends with deep thoughts. Laura learns something important. The reader also thinks about life, death, and how people live differently.