THE GARDEN PARTY STUDY GUIDE

Analysis
“The Garden Party,” written by Katherine Mansfield, was
published in the literary magazine the Weekly Westminster
Gazette in February 1922 in an effort to promote the author’s
larger short story collection The Garden Party and Other
Stories published by Constable and Co., which prominently
featured the titled story. In fact, “The Garden Party” is
considered one of Mansfield’s best-known works, perhaps
because of its autobiographical undertones.
The early twentieth century setting for the story is loosely
based upon Mansfield’s childhood home in Wellington, New
Zealand. The Sheridans, like the Beauchamps (Mansfield’s
surname) were an upper middle class family with three
daughters and a son. Laura Sheridan is a parody of Mansfield
as a young adult during her years as an idealistic if not naïve
socialite before she left Wellington go to England for college.
The Sheridan siblings are named in mocking tribute to the
beloved characters of Louisa May Alcott’s Little
Women published in 1880. The March sisters are named Meg,
Jo (Josephine), Beth, and Amy. Laurie is a good friend of the
March family and later marries Amy. The Sherdian siblings
are similarly named Meg, Jose, Laura, and Laurie. Note the
symmetry in name and demeanor of Laura and her brother,
Laurie. Like her literary counterpart, Jo March, Laura
Sheridan questions her place in the world and especially
within her family.
In “The Garden Party,” Mansfield, a modernist, experimented
with the use of third person narration from Laura’s point of
view, allowing the reader simultaneous insight into the
protagonist’s thoughts while observing her actions. Noted for
her frequent use of internal monologue, a literary device that
expresses the thoughts of a character, Mansfield allows for an
in-depth observation of Laura’s perspective as her story
unfolds. Mrs. Sheridan and Jose’s points of view briefly
interrupt Laura’s dominant perspective but are used by
Mansfield to emphasize the story’s ambiance rather than offer
counter-perspectives to Laura’s viewpoint. Mansfield’s
preference for the female perspective was unique for her time
period as is the lack of structure in “The Garden Party.” The
story is told over the course of a few hours with no set
beginning or traditional character introductions. Instead
Mansfield begins her story in medias res or in the middle,
allowing the character’s histories to unfold as the story
progresses. Specializing in realism, Mansfield, like her
contemporaries, preferred to focus the core of her plot on a
single moment in time, illustrating how small events, such as
a garden parties, can influence a character’s perspective with
life alternating results. Laura Sheridan’s worldview is similarly
shaken by the death of her neighbor, Mr. Scott, which causes
her to revaluate her thoughts on class relations in response to
her family’s stance on the subject.
As a character Laura Sheridan is endearingly naive.
Pampered and petted, she is accustomed to the privileges
and comforts associated with the upper middle class and yet
she is eager to prove how pragmatic she can be. In
comparison to her siblings (who make only brief appearances
in the text) Laura is a capable organizer and budding socialite
who tends to favor the simpler pleasures of life unlike her
mother who is noted for her extravagances. Laura is
sympathetic toward the emotions of others and is naturally
concerned about the world around her, especially concerning
the plight of the lower class. Despite her compassion, Laura’s
ignorance in talking to the workmen illustrates how truly naïve
she is about how she and her family are perceived by others.
Raised in a life of privilege, Laura’s usual concerns about
flower arrangements, clothes, and preparing menus seem
frivolous but are a necessary part of her life. She is thrilled to
be asked to help organize the garden party and is pleased by
her family’s and by extension her popularity but there is an
underling curiosity about Laura that separates her from her
more vapid siblings and mother.
The death of Mr. Scott, only a passing acquaintance, shocks
Laura into action. She feels it would be incredibly rude of her
family to proceed with their garden party so soon after Mr.
Scott’s death especially because he lived and died so close to
the Sheridan’s property. No one in her family shares her
concerns which causes Laura to begin to view her family in a
different light. How could they be so ignorant of the suffering
of others? Laura’s vivid imagination and musings over how
devastated the Scott family must be in the wake of the
tragedy only intensifies her desire to help them. She cannot
understand her family’s lack of empathy. The Scotts were
their neighbors but Mrs. Sheridan is firm in her decision to
have the garden party despite what has happened. Mrs.
Sheridan, in direct opposition to Laura sentiments, is deeply
prejudiced against families like the Scotts who live in the
poorer section of their community. She does not understand
how they can survive at all and yet makes no effort to help
them. Instead she feels only irritated by their presence and
thinks their “shabby” homes, located only one street away,
reflect poorly on the Sheridan’s decadent property. Mansfield
deliberately places the poor of Wellington alongside the
Sheridan’s home as a less than subtle reference to class
relations in New Zealand post WWI. Mrs. Sheridan’s mindset
further illustrates the prejudice toward the lower classes for
this time period. Like others of her social class, Mrs. Sheridan
feels sympathy toward the Scott’s circumstances but she
does not their misfortune should infringe upon her family’s
affairs. Laura, conflicted over her own feelings, decides it is
her duty to continue on with the garden party and is soon
engrossed in the festivities.
Laura’s quick dismissal of Mr. Scott’s death reveals a lack of
conviction and maturity. Although she tries to do well by
others, Laura is still young and easily swayed by her family’s
influence, especially her brother Laurie who distracts her with
compliments. After their guests depart, Mrs. Sheridan agrees
to allow Laura to go down to the Scott’s for a visit. She asks
Laura to bring a basket of leftovers but decides against
sending flowers. Laura is concerned the Scotts will see the
leftovers as an insult (and they should) but what is more
concerning about Mrs. Sheridan’s behavior is that she does
not send the flowers, revealing an inner selfishness and lack
of regard or respect for those beneath her rank. Observant
Laura begins to see her mother very differently and once she
crosses the road and enters the poverty stricken home of the
Scotts, she begins a metaphysical transition from
adolescence to adulthood.
Laura’s walk to the Scotts, her shame at wearing her best
clothes and a new hat amid such depraved conditions is a
brutal awakening to her psyche. She wants to flee, to return to
her own kind but is made to enter not only the home of the
Scotts but to see Mr. Scott’s dead body laid out in the back
bedroom. Death, a reoccurring theme in Mansfield’s work,
often acts as a catalyst, prompting other characters to
revaluate their own lives. True to form, Laura has an epiphany
of sorts while staring at Mr. Scott’s peaceful face. She sees
herself as she truly is: frivolous, naïve, and wonton. She feels
a deep sense of shame for having come to the Scott house
dressed as she is and the only comfort she can provide is
leftover food. For a brief moment Laura is envious of Mr.
Scott, he has escaped society’s expectations and is
answerable to no one. “Forgive my hat” (51), she remarks
before leaving, her comment reflective of her thoughts. She
runs away from the Scotts, away from the poverty and
suffering that she can no longer ignore and meets her brother,
Laurie, who had come to look for her. Crying, Laura tries to
express herself but can’t. Mansfield ends the text with Laura
asking, “Isn’t life…” and Laurie replying “Isn’t it, darling?” (51).
Emphasizing her modernistic roots, Mansfield purposely
named these characters to denote similarities in their
demeanor, the male and female version of the same person,
although she gives preference to the female perspective. Note
the symmetry in their responses and yet the divide between
them. Laura has returned from the Scotts a different person,
her brother has not had such an experience (that we know of),
and although they are saying the same thing, neither really
knows or understands the thoughts of the other. From a larger
perspective the Sheridans and the Scotts and the social
classes they represent, can never truly understand the
viewpoint of the other if they remain ignorant of each other’s
lifestyles. Noted for her ambiguous endings, Mansfield
intentionally closes ”The Garden Party” with a dissatisfying
conclusion to allow room for the reader’s interpretation of
events to come.
he Garden Party Study Guide
The Garden Party and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield was first
published in 1922 by Constable and Co., a notable publishing house in London. The work was
dedicated to her husband, John Middleton Murry. The collection of short stories was the last
published work by Mansfield before her death on January 9, 1923.
Most of the fifteen stories within the collection were first published elsewhere. “At the Bay,”
“The Daughters of the Late Colonel,” and “The Stranger” were published in the London
Mercury. “Young Girl” appeared in Athenaeum. “Miss Brill,” “Life of Ma Parker,”
and the “The Lady’s Maid” were published in Sphere. The Weekly Westminster
Gazette published “Mr. and Mrs. Dove,” “Marriage a la Mode,” “The Voyage,” “Her First
Ball,” and “An Ideal Family.” The same magazine published “The Garden Party” in February
1922 in correlation with the book’s release.
The Garden Party and Other Stories was well received upon publication and
further cemented Mansfield’s reputation as one of the most influential modernists of her time,
joining the ranks of such notable authors as James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and D H
Lawrence. The Garden Party and Other Stories is considered a modern classic
and contains several of Mansfield’s greatest works.

CHARACTER LIST

Laura Sheridan ("The Garden Party"; "Her First Ball")

Main character of “The Garden Party” and minor character in “Her First Ball” Laura is put in
charge of overseeing preparations for the Sheridan’s garden party. She has a playful but sensitive
nature and is deeply upset by the death of Mr. Scott. She is confused by her family’s elitism and
yet is uncomfortable outside of her social circle especially in the home of the Scotts. She is
believed to be a caricature of the author, Katharine Mansfield, during her years as a young
socialite.
Meg Sheridan ("The Garden Party"; "Her First Ball")
Possibly the oldest of the three Sheridan sisters, Meg takes Leila under her wing in “Her First
Ball” and helps Jose move furniture in “The Garden Party.”
Jose Sheridan ("The Garden Party"; "Her First Ball")
Of the three Sheridan sisters, Jose appears somewhat domineering yet kind. She is an
excellent singer and helps her family prepare in “The Garden Party” and accompanies her
siblings and cousin Leila in “Her First Ball.” Sadie ("The Garden Party")
The Sheridan’s maid.
Han ("The Garden Party")
Sheridan's servant.
Cook ("The Garden Party")
The Sheridan's cook. She prepares special sandwiches for the garden party.
Kitty Maitland ("The Garden Party")
Laura Sheridan’s friend.
Mr. Scott ("The Garden Party")
Died in an accident on the day of the Sheridan’s garden party. He left behind a wife and several
children.
Mrs. Scott ("The Garden Party")
Wife of Mr. Scott who died in an accident near the Sherian’s home

                                  Glossary

The Garden Party Glossary

a la mode
in fashion
Bank holiday
a national holiday in the United Kingdom and its territories
bathe
British term for a cleansing swim in a body of water such as a lake or the sea
dressing-gown
a robe
dropsy
an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body, now called edema
flat
an apartment
franc
French silver coin no longer in circulation
gramophone
type of phonograph, a precursor of the record player
half-crown
an amount of money once worth 1/8 of a British pound
karaka tree
a common evergreen tree found in and around New Zealand. It bears orange fruit.
knickers
underwear
landing-stage
a platform used to load people or goods aboard a ship
lumbago
reoccurring pain in the lower (lumbar) region of the back
marquee
a large tent-like structure built for outdoor entertainment
mater
mother
meringues
a delicate pastry made with fruit filling
nemeral
Pip’s mispronunciation of the word “emerald” in "At the Bay"
nougat
a brittle or chewy candy made with nuts
organ grinder
a street musician who plays a hand instrument
porter
someone hired to carry luggage
post
the mail
public house
a tavern or bar
siesta
an afternoon nap
steamer chair
a folding lounge chair
stile
a series of steps that separates one area from another
telegram
a message sent by telegraph over long distances
Titania
in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Titania is the Queen of
fairyland and wife of Oberon, King of fairyland.
tuppence
slang for two pence
upper berth
the top bunk or shelf-like sleeping space on trains, ships, airplanes
washhouse
an outbuilding used to do laundry
wharf
a structure built on a shoreline that extends into the water to help guide ships to port

The Garden Party Themes

Life
The prevailing theme in The Garden Party and Other Stories is the examination
of life and its particularities. Each of the stories focuses on a specific moment in time in the lives
of the characters. The stories’ narratives encompass an examination of those lives concentrating
on the opinions, emotions, dreams, fears, and especially the innermost anxieties of the main
characters. Mansfield was not interested in a grand or spanning picture of life. Instead she
focused on the trivialities, the small moments that linger in the minds of her characters and acted
as epiphanies, making way for character transformations and new beginnings. Mansfield was
particularly interested in how women view the world and featured several female protagonists, a
unique point of view for her time period.
Death
A minor theme in comparison to life, death is the catalyst by which change occurs in a number of
key stories within the overall work. Mr. Scott’s death in "The Garden Party" awakens in Laura
Sheridan, the main character, a dislike of her family’s elitism. Ma Parker in "Life of Ma Parker"
suffers the loss of her favorite grandson, Lennie, and yearns to grieve for all of the tragedies she
has endured in her difficult life. The death of their father in "Daughters of the Late Colonel"
forces Josephine and Constantia Pinner to revaluate their circumstances and to embrace their
new found freedom but they find that even in death their father’s opinions still hold them
captive. Yet his death has set in motion changes they so desperately desire, as does the death of
Fenlla’s mother in "The Voyage."
Marriage
Marriage in all of its guises is examined by the author through the eyes of both men and women
before, during, and sometimes after the union ends. Often portrayed in a negative light, marriage
in Mansfield’s stories is less about love or companionship and more about control and power
over one’s spouse. Mr. Hammond in "The Stranger" does just this and is taken aback when
he fails to keep his wife all to himself. Linda Burnell of "At the Bay" struggles to find equality in
her marriage and although she resents having to cater to her husband’s needs, she and her
husband are one of the only couples within the collection that seem equally smitten with one
another and somewhat happy in their marriage. Unlike Linda Burnell, Annie Proctor of "Mr. and
Mrs. Dove" rejects Reggie’s proposal because she believes they would not have a good marriage
because they are incompatible. Similarly in "Marriage a la Mode," William finds that he no
longer has a place in his wife, Isabel’s, life and takes matters into his own hands and writes her a
letter indicating his intention to separate or divorce. The narrative of "Marriage a la Mode" ends
with Isabel’s indecisiveness toward her husband’s letter, a perfect cumulative example of the
ambivalence towards marriage in the overall text.  
Distorted Reality
Several of the main characters exist in a distorted reality, preferring the fantasy lives they have
created for themselves to the truth of their circumstances. For example: Constantia Pinner of
"The Daughters of the Late Colonel" retreats to her imagination whenever she is distressed, and
consequently finds it difficult to face her changing reality after her father’s death. Beryl Fairchild
of At the Bay similarly indulges in romantic fantasies to her discredit when she is tricked
into believing her daydreams have come true in the form of the predatory Mr. Harry Kember. Of
all of the characters within Mansfield’s collected works, Miss Brill’s has the most distressing
distorted reality. Miss Brill, in a self-titled story, is a lonely yet naively innocent older woman
who is so deeply disillusioned that she allows her imagination to overpower her commonsense
and she truly believes that the fantasy world she has created for herself is momentarily real. The
crushing realization that her fantasy world is false results in the literal boxing up of her
imagination and presumably her own self worth.  
Regret/Disappointment
All of the main characters at some point in their narratives express some type of regret or
disappointment toward another character, their circumstances, or within themselves. Regrets in
behavior define Stanley Burnell’s actions in "At the Bay," after he is rude to his wife. Regrets
toward their circumstances are instrumental to the plots of "The Voyage" and "The Singing
Lessons" as the main characters struggle to come to terms with major life changes.
Disappointment fuels Leila’s thoughts after the allure of dancing is ruined by the discourteous
comments of another in "Her First Ball." Laura Sheridan is equally disappointed with her
family’s elitist behavior in "The Garden Party." In "Life of Ma Parker" and "Miss Brill" the plots
are filled with moments of deep regret and the bitterest of disappointments. Mansfield’s ability to
capture moments of such bittersweet melancholy is a testament to her skillful mastery of her
craft and genre.
Duty
The contrasting theme of duty toward one’s family or career vs. fear of those same
responsibilities is a prevalent theme in many of the stories in this collection. Characters such as
Mr. Neave of "An Ideal Family" and Stanley Burnell of "At the Bay" feel a sense of
accomplishment and pride in the work they do. Their duties toward the livelihood of their
families motivate them to work harder. It is this same sense of duty that instills in them the need
to seek higher standards both at home and at work. In doing so they are often disappointed by
those who do not share their work ethic. Mr. Neave finds it very difficult to leave his company to
his son because he knows Harold is not bound by any sense of duty and fears he will ruin the
family business. Likewise, Stanley and his wife, Linda, look down upon Jonathan Trout who
rebels against his duty to his family using his frustrated feelings of inadequacy as a crutch
against trying and failing to pursue his own interests.

The women in Mansfield’s stories also feel duty to varying degrees. Some like Isabel of
"Marriage a la Mode" rebel against it while others like the Pinner sisters of "The Daughters of
the Late Colonel" are so stifled by a sense of duty to home and family that they find it difficult to
separate themselves from it, even if it means an improvement in their quality of life.  
Gender
 Mansfield’s work often focused on the changing assumptions concerning gender roles in the
home at the turn of the twentieth century. She wrote using both the male and female perspective
and by doing so was able to illuminate the differences and similarities between the sexes. As a
result Mansfield chose to show that both genders feel equally unappreciated and vexed by the
other. For example: Stanley and Linda Burnell of "At the Bay" both feel unappreciated in the
roles they play within the home and in their own marriage. Linda is especially resentful of her
role as wife and mother and rebels against her duties when she can. Similarly Stanley feels
neglected by his wife and yearns for her attention, lashing out when he does not receive it. Yet
she and Stanley are able to forgo their differences in the rare moments when they are alone. In
"Marriage a la Mode" Isabel prefers the company of her new friends over that of her husband,
William, and is irritated by his presence in their home. The narration is sympathetic to William,
who loves his wife but ultimately writes her a letter alluding their impending separation.
William’s passive response to his wife’s overpowering personality is interesting in the context of
the time period as is her lack of response. More traditional views of gender for the early
twentieth-century are examined in "The Singing Lesson" and "The Daughters of the Late
Colonel" both of which feature women who struggle to find a place in society outside of
marriage.

To her credit, Mansfield did not marginalize her female characters. She chose to write from a
feminine perspective in many of her short stories through a variety of view points in an attempt
to create fuller and more realistic female characters who were representative of their time period.
By doing so she created richly realistic characters more in tune with the changing worldviews,
including the role of gender in post WWI society.  

The Garden Party Quotes and Analysis

“Round the corner of Crescent Bay, between the piled-up masses of broken
rock, a flock of sheep came pattering. They were huddled together, a small,
tossing, woolly mass, and their thin, stick-like legs trotted along quickly as if the
cold and the quiet had frightened them. Behind them an old sheep-dog, his
soaking paws covered with sand, ran along with his nose to the ground, but
carelessly, as if thinking of something else.”
 "At the Bay," pg. 5
Mansfield’s fluid writing style is especially apparent in “At the Bay,” one of her greatest literary
works. In the above quote the reader walks with Wag the dog as the new day dawns. The
author’s descriptive word choices and long yet cohesive sentence structure enhances the overall
imagery of the seaside setting, providing the reader a leisurely introduction to the text.
“Her whole time was spent in rescuing him, and restoring him, and calming him
down, and listening to his story. And what was left of her time was spent in the
dread of having children.”
"At the Bay," Linda Burnell, pg. 19
As a character, Linda Burnell, appears at first glance to be lazy and selfish, allowing her mother
and sister to take care of her children. She seems disinterested in her husband’s wellbeing and
yet the opposite is true. Linda reveals in the above quote that she resents the inequality in her
marriage, that her time is not perceived to be as precious as her husband’s and yet although she
actively rejects her duties as mother she embraces her role as wife and caters to Stanley’s needs
who she seems to truly love. This conflicting duality in personality is echoed in Mansfield’s own
life as she too flew against social norms concerning gender roles in the household and preferred
to pursue a career rather than spent her life as a wife and mother.
“True, they were far too near. They were the greatest possible eyesore, and they
had no right to be in that neighborhood at all. They were little mean dwellings
painted a chocolate brown. In the garden patches there was nothing but cabbage
stalks, sick hens, and tomato cans. The very smoke coming out of their
chimneys was poverty-stricken.”
"The Garden Party," pg. 45
The Sheridans, caricatures of Mansfield’s own family, seem incapable of genuine sympathy
toward the lower classes. Laura, the main character, is the only exception and she tries to help
the Scott family after Mr. Scott is accidentally killed. Laura’s inner turmoil centers on her own
misgivings concerning her family’s blasé attitude toward Mr. Scott’s death and their dislike of
the lower class. Perceptions of and rising tensions between the classes is repeated plot point in
several other stories within the overall collection including “Life of Ma Parker” and “The Lady’s
Maid.”
“It wasn’t real. It was only when she came out of the tunnel into the moonlight
or by the sea or into a thunderstorm that she really felt herself. What did it
mean? What was it she was always wanting?”
"The Daughters of the Late Colonel," Constantia Pinner, pg. 70
Constantia and her sister, Josephine, have spent the majority of their adult lives taking care of
their ailing but demanding father. A life lived in fear while in the service of others deeply affects
a person’s sense of self. Constantia, who delights in fantasy, shields her true self from her father
in order to protect her sensitive nature. The above quote depicts the rare moments when
Constantia felt like her true self and not her father’s caretaker. Note the use of the word “tunnel,”
as it implies freedom from an enclosed space. The fact that she feels most like herself while
observing nature only emphasizes how caged she feels while living in her father’s home.
“I ain’t got nothing.”
"Life of Ma Parker," Lennie to Ma Parker, pg. 80
The word “nothing” is repeated several times in the “Life of Ma Parker” and its meaning changes
over the course of the story. In the above quote Lennie is asking his grandmother, Ma Parker, for
money. She tells him she has nothing to give him even though she has some small change for
him. Her “nothing” actually means “everything” for she would give the world to Lennie if she
could but she has lived a hard life and has little or “nothing” to share with her grandson except
her love. Ma Parker teases Lennie and asks what he will give her in return for the money he has
asked for and he replies he has nothing to give.

                                  Essay Questions

The Garden Party Essay Questions

1. 1
Why do many of Mansfield’s stories end on an ambiguous
note?
As a modernist Mansfield often experimented with form. Her
ambiguous endings are very stylistic and a mark of her mastery
of the genre. An admirer of the French Impressionists,
Mansfield’s work often details a very specific moment in time
such the “Bank Holiday” or “The Lady’s Maid.” Her work often
contains impressions or moments of self awareness like Laura’s
epiphany in “The Garden Party.” Character information is
presented in reverse, slowing revealing the character’s past and
guiding the reader toward a better understand of the character’s
present. The author purposely leaves room for the possibility of
many different endings for stylistic purposes and perhaps in
imitation of the unpredictability of life.
2. 2
Class relations are strained in several stories within the text,
especially in "The Garden Party," which takes the
 perspective of the upper class. Provide an example from the
text from the perspective of the lower class, and discuss how
they are treated by the upper class.
In “Life of Ma Parker,” the title character works as a maid for an
unnamed gentleman of leisure. Upon hearing the news of her
grandson’s death and burial the gentleman expresses his
condolences but does little to comfort Ma Parker. She becomes
lost in her memories of the past while she works until she is
interrupted by the literary gentleman. He shows little compassion
for her circumstances when he reprimands her for discarding the
last of his cocoa without his permission, a veiled attempt to
remind her of who has the authority in their relationship. The
triviality of their interaction reveals his lack of respect and
disconnect toward Ma Parker and her unfortunate circumstances.
3. 3
Why is Mansfield’s narrative style unique for her time
period?
Mansfield’s narrative style was unique because she told stories
from a female perspective, an uncommon practice in the early
twentieth century even for modernists. She wrote from both the
male and female point of view, sometimes interchanging them
within the same story as in “At the Bay.” This provided for a
more in-depth analysis of daily life through the eyes of both
sexes while drawing attention to changing societal assumptions
concerning gender roles.
4. 4
The sea is used as setting in several stories within the text and
establishes mood in others. Provide an example in which the
sea accomplishes both.
In “At the Bay’ the sea is not only a backdrop in the daily life of
Crescent Bay, it plays an integral part in establishing the story’s
 fluctuating mood and provides a common meeting place for the
characters to interact. The sea is central in the lives of the
characters of Crescent Bay who incorporate it into their daily
lives through various social activities Mansfield also uses the sea
to emphasize the changing moods of the characters as the day
progresses. For example, the calm morning sea helps usher in a
new day for Stanley Burnell as he bathes. The low tide of
afternoon welcomes the socialization of the women and children.
Later a temperamental sea reflects the unease of Beryl Fairchild
during her night time exchange with Mr. Harry Kember.
5. 5
Of the female characters in Mansfield’s stories, who is most
like the author?
The Garden Party is loosely based on the author’s own
adolescence as a young socialite in Wellington, New Zealand
with her family. Like the Sheridans, Mansfield’s family lived in a
large house and were lavish in their lifestyle. Of the Sheridan
children, Laura is most like Mansfield in personality and
perspective as she too found her family’s apathy toward the poor
unsatisfactory.
6. 6
Why are there no main characters in "Bank Holiday," and
how is this significant in relation to the other stories in the
text?
The characters of the "Bank Holiday" are mostly faceless with
generic characteristics and commonplace descriptions. They are
soldiers, girls, musicians, families, the elderly etc. They are
distinctive only in what they are doing, who they are with and
what they have bought. Social classes mix and mingle as a
community comes together to celebrate their national holiday. As
one entity the crowd moves forward up a hill and in doing so
becomes the one character of significance in the story. The lack
 of main characters is distinctive in relation to Mansfield’s other
work in the text because all of the other stories have at least one
main character.
7. 7
Some of Mansfield’s male characters find themselves either
battling against their sense of duty toward family, or
becoming overly attached to their work. Provide an example
juxtaposing male characters within the same story who meet
this description.
In “At the Bay” Stanley Burnell and Jonathan Trout are foils of
one another. Stanley prides himself on a solid worth ethic while
Jonathan wishes to escape his duties and live his life as he
pleases. Both are settled with families to provide for and they
each express their hurt feelings toward having to work for a
living. Yet Stanley dutifully goes to the office each workday and
although he does not always feel appreciated at home for his hard
effort he does not shirk his responsibilities unlike Jonathan who
reluctantly goes to the office but finds it difficult to carry on and
indulges in fantasies of a better life away from the tediousness of
the work and in doing so he falls short of his and everyone else’s
expectations.
8. 8
Music is often used in Mansfield’s work to expression
emotion. In which story does the main character use music to
express first her overwhelming sadness and then her joy?
In “The Singing Lesson” the main character, Miss Meadows, is
devastated that her fiancé has called off their wedding. She is
unable to control her emotions during her singing lesson with her
students and asks them to sing a lament. Miss Meadow’s rude
behavior influences their performance and she instructs them to
“feel” the music and the students soon grow angry and depressed
 as a reflection of Miss Meadow’s own mood. Later Miss
Meadow’s elation at the news that her wedding is still on is
reflected in her second music choice and she leads her class in a
jaunty tune.
The Garden Party
what is the attitude of mr.neave's wife and daughters and
character of harold?

Answers: 1

Asked by Chaitanya Kumar G #555154

Last updated by Aslan 15 days ago 9/20/2016 2:05 PM

The Garden Party

What is the shadowy meaning Mr Neave has at the end
of the story?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 24 days ago 9/11/2016 1:06 PM

The Garden Party

What is the significance of the dream that Mr Neave
has?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 24 days ago 9/11/2016 1:02 PM
Below are some questions I found on Grade Saver forum http://www.gradesaver.com/the-
garden-party You can check out the answers on the site if it helps.

The Garden Party

What is the underlying irony in the story 'An ideal
family'?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 24 days ago 9/11/2016 1:01 PM

The Garden Party

What kind of a person is Harold?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 24 days ago 9/11/2016 12:57 PM

The Garden Party

What dream does Mr Neave have?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 24 days ago 9/11/2016 12:53 PM

The Garden Party

Who was Charles?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 24 days ago 9/11/2016 12:48 PM
The Garden Party
Why does Mr Neave feel himself unable to cope with his
daughters?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 24 days ago 9/11/2016 12:40 PM

The Garden Party

what is the attitude of Mr Neave's wife and daughters
towards him?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 24 days ago 9/11/2016 12:35 PM

The Garden Party

What kind of social strata does Mr Neave belong to?
How can you tell?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 24 days ago 9/11/2016 12:34 PM

The Garden Party

Why do people call Mr Neave's family an ideal family?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 24 days ago 9/11/2016 12:30 PM
The Garden Party
What kind of a person is Harold?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 25 days ago 9/10/2016 2:52 PM

The Garden Party

What are the feelings that Mr Neave goes through at the
beginning of the story?

Answers: 1

Asked by Naga N #551923

Last updated by Aslan 25 days ago 9/10/2016 1:58 PM

The Garden Party

describe an important experience that happens to Laura
and explain how the experience affects that character.

Answers: 1

Asked by kriztelline s #549215

Last updated by Aslan a month ago 8/30/2016 7:46 PM

The Garden Party

Laura's decision making

Answers: 1

Asked by Kenzie J #518962

Last updated by jill d #170087 6 months ago 4/13/2016 2:12 PM
The Garden Party
What kind of character is Laura?

Answers: 1

Asked by Fatima zohra K #515462

Last updated by jill d #170087 6 months ago 4/1/2016 6:48 PM
The Garden Party
Compare analysis

Answers: 1

Asked by MA Mc #483318

Last updated by Aslan 6 months ago 3/31/2016 7:29 PM

The Garden Party

Do the characters in the Garden Party on this course
really learn anything from their encounters with the
Other?

Answers: 3

Asked by sharmila r #508062

Last updated by jill d #170087 6 months ago 3/23/2016 7:33 AM
The Garden Party
what do you think the garden party symbolizes? Why?

Answers: 1

Asked by Jill S #491029

Last updated by Aslan 9 months ago 1/2/2016 9:16 PM
The Garden Party
the garden part

Answers: 1

Asked by manzoor m #478431

Last updated by Aslan a year ago 11/10/2015 7:40 PM

The Garden Party

Can Beryl Fairfield's and Mrs. Kemper's relationship be
viewed as romantic?

Answers: 1

Asked by Ciara R #473348

Last updated by jill d #170087 a year ago 10/23/2015 7:36 AM
The Garden Party
The Garden Party

Answers: 1

Asked by O'nay S #468069

Last updated by jill d #170087 a year ago 10/5/2015 7:43 AM
The Garden Party
Garden Party

Answers: 1

Asked by flow s #465253

Last updated by judy t #197809 a year ago 9/28/2015 1:30 PM
 The Garden Party
Mrs Kember's words to Gladys.

Answers: 1

Asked by lenita e #101399

Last updated by jill d #170087 a year ago 7/3/2015 6:10 PM Ask a question and get answers from
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The Garden Party
Her first ball

Answers: 1
Asked by selah c #415419
Last updated by Jacob B #415510 2 years ago 1/8/2015 12:58 PM
The Garden Party
her first ball

Answers: 1

Asked by selah c #415419

Last updated by Aslan 2 years ago 1/8/2015 11:46 AM

The Garden Party

The Garden Party by Catherine Mansfield

Answers: 1

Asked by sarkar s #412654

Last updated by jill d #170087 2 years ago 12/22/2014 8:20 AM
The Garden Party
how does leila attitude tovthe night change

Answers: 1

Asked by bedran t #205171

Last updated by jill d #170087 2 years ago 11/9/2014 6:25 PM
The Garden Party
the men themes of the garden party

Answers: 1

Asked by monabber m #379310

Last updated by jill d #170087 2 years ago 7/21/2014 12:19 PM
The Garden Party
Give examples of laura's love of simple and natural
things

Answers: 1

Asked by son v #347708

Last updated by jill d #170087 3 years ago 11/29/2013 2:45 AM
The Garden Party
what is the main character

Answers: 1

Asked by ronju r #298707

Last updated by Aslan 4 years ago 1/28/2013 7:42 PM

The Garden Party

discuss the major theme of garden party

Answers: 1

Asked by murad i #281317

Last updated by judy t #197809 4 years ago 11/7/2012 3:16 AM
The Garden Party
where does Miss Brill fit into the Garden Party

Answers: 1

Asked by patrick w #169419

Last updated by alwan k #210881 5 years ago 11/3/2011 6:30 PM
The Garden Party
what details emphasise the excitement of the girls

Answers: 1

Asked by bedran t #205171

Last updated by henry 5 years ago 11/1/2011 1:17 PM