by Katherine Mansfield “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield

A “theme” can be defined as a “comment about life” that an author expresses in a story. It is through the theme that most of us can relate to a story. Every Essay 2 probably will explain a character or characters a conflict a resolution

Choose one character from the story and tell us what you think about that character. What facts from the story cause you to see the character in this way? Breanna say, The character Laura from this story is a young, innocent girl. Most of all Laura is empathetic. This is portrayed when Laura hears news of the death of a man and becomes overwhelmed with emotions. She could not imagine continuing to host a social gathering and have fun while a man very close in proximity had just passed away. Laura also can be viewed as empathetic because of her courtesy to walk the bountiful basket to the house of the mourning.

Choose one character from the story and tell us what you think about that character. What facts from the story cause you to see the character in this way? Excellent idea, Team Breanna! To be “empathetic” means “showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another.” This word described Laura well. There are several places in the story where Laura’s empathy shows, including when she is interacting with the workmen near the beginning of the story.

Choose one character from the story and tell us what you think about that character. What facts from the story cause you to see the character in this way? The Arum Lilies say, Laura, who seemed to have morals than the rest of them stood out the most. She had compassion for the family who lost their loved one. She stood up when the others did not. She alone went to visit the family even despite her fear of the location

Choose one character from the story and tell us what you think about that character. What facts from the story cause you to see the character in this way? Yes, Arum Lilies! Good point. Laura seems to be one of the few likeable characters in the story. She certainly feels self-conscious about doing the right thing, especially when others in her family disagree with her. She is torn between feeling and doing what she thinks is right and accepting what others tell her she should feel and do.

Choose one character from the story and tell us what you think about that character. What facts from the story cause you to see the character in this way? Flying Solo says, Laura is a bright girl. She has a hard time going with what others want done versus the right thing to do. She worries over the set up for the guest and her mother’s sake. When the young man is killed she knows the party should be cancelled due to the death, she almost finds it rude to carry on. But knowing that the party is everyone’s concern, she carries on with it, keeping the man and his family’s feelings in the back of her mind.

Choose one character from the story and tell us what you think about that character. What facts from the story cause you to see the character in this way? Excellent idea, Flying Solo! Your comment that Laura “has a hard time going with what others want done versus the right thing to do” suggests the narrator’s comment in the story that Laura “loved having to arrange things; she always felt she could do it so much better than anybody else.” The story suggests that the world might be a better place with someone like Laura “arranging things.”

For Your Consideration Keep in mind that Laura’s empathy and kindness stand out so much because of how these characteristics are so different than those exhibited by other members of her family. Laura seems much different than other members of her family. Hmm, do you see two possible body paragraphs here?

What types of conflict--person versus person, society, self, nature, and God/fate—do you think are in the story, and how are the conflicts shown? Breanna say, Person versus person is portrayed when Laura argues with her mother over the cancellation of the party because of the death. Laura exhibits person versus self because of her internal feelings about the situation; she years to be in control and be respectful. Person versus nature and person versus fate both play an eminent and intertwining role for the man who was curiously thrown off his horse to his death.

What types of conflict--person versus person, society, self, nature, and God/fate—do you think are in the story, and how are the conflicts shown? Good point, Team Breanna! There is a lot of “person versus person” conflict and “person versus self” conflict in the story. Laura has a strong sense of the right way to behave, but the conflict she faces from the people around her causes Laura to experience internal conflict as she starts to doubt her own thoughts and feelings.

What types of conflict--person versus person, society, self, nature, and God/fate—do you think are in the story, and how are the conflicts shown? The Arum Lilies say, This story portrays a “person versus society” theme as Laura is the only one to have selfless compassion while the rest of her family and friends only thought of themselves, even pushing her to feel the same as them. Laura went to each family member to ask their opinions, to see if they should cancel. All became frustrated with her in the end.

What types of conflict--person versus person, society, self, nature, and God/fate—do you think are in the story, and how are the conflicts shown? Good ideas, Arum Lilies! The “person versus society” is an important conflict in the story because it seems the source of the other conflicts. Your reference to Laura’s “selfless compassion” is excellent, and you explain well that friends and family are “pushing her to feel the same as them.” It’s not easy to stand up to that kind of pressures, and the pressure does cause Laura to question herself.

Identify at least one thing in the story that you think might be symbolic. What might this symbolism contribute to the story? Flying Solo says, Laura’s outfit for the party is one example. She feels almost over dressed, or out of place with her flashy outfit. It seems to fit with how she feels on the inside, the show must go on, but should it really? The same for her clothing. She’s not a flashy, fancy kind of girl but must dress the part for the party.

Identify at least one thing in the story that you think might be symbolic. What might this symbolism contribute to the story? Another good idea, Flying Solo! Hats also are mentioned several times in the story. Remember how Laura starts to feel self-conscious about her fancy hat as she is walking through the poor neighborhood? She realizes that her fancy hat is out of place among poor people who are mourning the death of a neighbor. And take a look at the moment in the story when Mrs. Sheridan suddenly puts a hat on Laura.

Identify at least one thing in the story that you think might be symbolic. What might this symbolism contribute to the story? Connor says, When Laura notices the air and is enlightened by a ray from sun and this symbolizes that most of the time it’s the little things that bring us happiness.

A “theme” can be defined as a “comment about life” that an author expresses in a story. What does this story seem to be telling us about life? Good point, Team Connor! There are several references in the story to Laura appreciating little things. We can probably make a connection between Laura noticing and appreciating little things and Laura noticing such things as other people’s feelings, as she does when interacting with the workmen and when thinking of how the widow will feel when she hears music from the garden party.

Another Thing to Consider If you write about “The Garden Party,” you must explain what happens at the end of the story and how it relates to the earlier parts of the story. And what does Laura try to say but is unable to at the end of the story when her brother, Laurie, asks about her visit to the widow’s house, “Was it awful”? Take a look at the passage from the story on the next slide.

Another Thing to Consider "No," sobbed Laura. "It was simply marvellous. But Laurie--" She stopped, she looked at her brother. "Isn't life," she stammered, "isn't life--" But what life was she couldn't explain. No matter. He quite understood. "Isn't it, darling?" said Laurie.

Another Thing to Consider Laura obviously is overwhelmed with emotions and seems to realize something important at the end of the story. What does she realize?