Here we have shared The Garden Party Questions Answers Class 11 English Second Semester.
The Garden Party Long Questions Answers Class 11 English Second Semester
Marks: 6
(1) Discuss the various themes as exhibited in The Garden Party.
Ans: In The Garden Party, Katherine Mansfield explores multiple themes within the framework of a short story. While a few paragraphs focus on the afternoon party itself, the rest delve into deeper issues. The major themes are discussed below:
i. Beauty and Privilege:
Only the upper-class, like the Sheridans, enjoy the privilege of aesthetic beauty. The poor, like the Scotts, are deprived of this beauty. The Sheridans’ sense of beauty and status is evident in their well-maintained garden, luxurious clothing, refined food choices, and polished manner of speaking. In contrast, the Scotts’ garden and cottage appear neglected and shabby.
ii. Class Consciousness and Empathy:
The Sheridans are acutely aware of their family status and privilege, which makes them indifferent to the struggles of their poor neighbors. They show little concern for Mr. Scott’s death. However, Laura transcends this class barrier when she interacts with the working-class Scotts, displaying genuine empathy and humanity.
iii. Innocence and Experience:
The story portrays Laura’s transition from innocence to experience. Her first encounter with death at the Scotts’ cottage profoundly alters her perception of life and mortality. After this visit, Laura returns home as a transformed individual.
iv. Life and Death:
The narrative highlights the stark contrast between life and death. The Sheridans, their vibrant garden, and the lively party represent the exuberance of life, filled with dazzling colors and a festive atmosphere. Conversely, the Scotts’ cottage and the impoverished neighborhood down the hill symbolize death, with their somber appearance and mourning community. Despite this stark division, Mr. Scott’s death serves as a bridge, bringing Laura closer to an understanding of life’s fragility and interconnectedness.
(2) “You’ll have to go, Laura; you are the artistic one.” Who says this? Where will Laura have to go? What is the context of the speech? Why will Laura have to go?
Ans: In Katherine Mansfield’s short story The Garden Party, Mrs. Sheridan says this to Laura, the youngest daughter of the Sheridan family.
Laura will have to go to the garden to supervise the workmen who have come to set up the marquee for the garden party.
The context of the speech lies in the family’s discussion during breakfast about the arrangements for the garden party. Mrs. Sheridan announces her desire to leave the responsibility of managing the party to her daughters. While they are discussing the arrangements, the workmen arrive at the front gate to put up the marquee.
Since Meg’s hair is wet and Jose is not properly dressed, Laura becomes the only suitable option to supervise the workers. Mrs. Sheridan remarks that Laura is the artistic one among her daughters, making her the ideal choice for the task. Under her mother’s authoritative instruction, Laura has no option but to take on the responsibility.
The Garden Party Long Questions Answers Class 11 English Second Semester
Marks: 6
(3) How was Laura different from other family members in The Garden Party?
Ans: Laura was distinctly different from her family members in terms of her empathy, care, and affection towards others, irrespective of their social class. From the beginning of the story, Laura displayed kindness and respect in her interactions with the workmen. She communicated with them politely and made an effort to understand their needs, showing a genuine concern that her family lacked.
Laura’s compassion became more evident after hearing about the death of the young workman. She felt deeply saddened and proposed stopping the arrangements for the garden party as a mark of respect for the deceased. However, her family—especially her mother and brother, Jose—reacted with shock and incomprehension. They failed to grasp Laura’s philosophical insight and emotional depth. To Laura, it seemed insensitive and illogical to continue celebrating amidst a neighbor’s tragedy.
Jose dismissed her concerns outright, while Mrs. Sheridan trivialized the situation by prioritizing her hat over the workman’s death. This starkly highlighted the indifference of the upper class toward the struggles of the lower class. In contrast, Laura’s profound emotional response and empathetic perspective set her apart from her family, who appeared detached and self-absorbed.
In her depth of emotional expression and her philosophical approach toward human suffering, Laura was truly different from the other members of the Sheridan family.
(4) What did The Garden Party reflect about contemporary society?
Ans: Katherine Mansfield’s The Garden Party reflects the stark class divisions and social dynamics of contemporary society. The story highlights the clear differences between the rich and the poor, evident in their clothing, lifestyle, and attitudes. The Sheridan family, representing the upper class, lived a life of privilege and luxury, while the workmen and the Scotts represented the lower class, struggling with poverty and hardship.
Mrs. Sheridan exemplified the upper class’s awareness of their social standing and treated the workmen as subordinates hired to complete tasks. In contrast, Laura stood out as a down-to-earth individual who tried to connect with the workmen on a human level. She wanted to assist them and communicate with them in a friendly manner. However, her attempts were met with hesitation, as the workmen were not accustomed to such behavior from people of her social status.
Laura’s compassion was further evident when she was deeply moved by the sudden death of Mr. Scott and his family’s suffering. She questioned how her family could proceed with the garden party amidst such a tragedy. However, her family rationalized their decision, asserting that mourning would not change the situation or bring the deceased back to life.
Through these interactions, the story critiques the indifference and detachment of the upper class towards the struggles of the lower class, while also showcasing Laura’s empathetic and humane response as an exception. This contrast serves as a commentary on the societal norms and class consciousness of the time.
(5) What was Laura’s argument for cancelling the party? How did Jose and Mrs. Sheridan react to her proposal?
Ans: Laura was deeply shocked to hear about Mr. Scott’s sudden death. She believed it would be highly insensitive to continue with the garden party, considering that the deceased was their neighbor and his family was grieving. Laura argued that holding the party with music and festivities would seem heartless, especially as the sounds of the band might feel cruel to the mourning family. She tried to persuade both Jose and her mother, Mrs. Sheridan, to cancel the event out of respect.
Jose, however, dismissed Laura’s concerns as absurd and impractical. She argued that no one would expect the Sheridans to stop their garden party because of a death in the neighborhood. Furthermore, she callously mentioned that Mr. Scott had been drunk, implying that his death did not merit their attention or sympathy. Jose’s lack of compassion angered Laura, prompting her to appeal to her mother.
Laura hoped her mother would understand and show empathy for the bereaved family. However, Mrs. Sheridan responded similarly to Jose, trivializing Laura’s concerns. She rejected the idea of cancelling the party, claiming that the accident had not happened on their property and was unrelated to them. Mrs. Sheridan viewed the tragedy as a distant, inconsequential matter and was more focused on the success of the garden party.
This reaction reflected the Sheridans’ indifference towards their poorer neighbors. To them, Mr. Scott’s death was insignificant compared to the importance of their social event. Mrs. Sheridan’s and Jose’s responses highlighted the class insensitivity and emotional detachment prevalent in the upper class.
The Garden Party Long Questions Answers Class 11 English Second Semester
Marks: 6
(6) Explore the symbolism of the Sheridan family’s garden in the story.
Ans: In Katherine Mansfield’s The Garden Party, the Sheridan family’s garden serves as a powerful symbol, reflecting themes of wealth, social status, and innocence. The garden, meticulously maintained by hired gardeners, symbolizes the Sheridans’ affluence and aesthetic sensibilities. It is artificial, showy, and carefully arranged, embodying the privileged world of the upper class.
The garden also draws parallels to the Biblical Garden of Eden, representing Laura’s innocence and naivety. It is a sheltered paradise where everything appears perfect. However, this perfection is superficial, masking the societal inequalities that exist outside its boundaries. Laura’s journey away from the garden, particularly when she visits the Scotts’ cottage, symbolizes her transition from innocence to experience. With each step away from the garden, her sheltered worldview begins to fade, and she confronts the harsh realities of life and death.
The garden’s elements further reinforce its symbolic significance. The karakas, the only native plants in the garden, are hidden behind the marquee. While described as “lovely” and “beautiful,” their obscured position symbolizes the suppression of native culture in favor of sophistication and artificial refinement. The vibrant green bushes represent the vitality and youthful energy of the party, while the dark patches of grass subtly hint at the laboring workers who toil in the background to ensure the party’s success.
Thus, the garden becomes a microcosm of the Sheridan family’s privileged world, highlighting their detachment from the struggles of the lower class and serving as a stage for Laura’s emotional and philosophical awakening.
(7) “Good morning,” she said, copying her mother’s voice.” Who is ‘she’? Why did she copy her mother’s voice? Why did she stammer? What made her recover?
Ans: In Katherine Mansfield’s short story The Garden Party, the pronoun ‘she’ refers to Laura, the youngest daughter of the Sheridan family.
Laura rushed out of the house, holding a piece of buttered toast, to meet the workmen in the garden who had come to set up the marquee for the party. Feeling slightly embarrassed and unsure of how to address them, she decided to imitate her mother’s confident and assertive tone. Laura believed that adopting her mother’s demeanor would help her manage the situation more effectively and establish authority over the workers.
However, Laura felt ashamed of her unnatural voice as it did not reflect her true self. This sense of awkwardness caused her to stammer while speaking to the workmen.
What helped her recover was the tallest workman’s natural and friendly smile. His relaxed and easy-going attitude put Laura at ease, making her realize that there was no need to pretend or act superior. Encouraged by the workers’ genuine demeanor, Laura quickly abandoned her pretense and began communicating in a more natural and sincere way.
The Garden Party Short Questions Answers Class 11 English Second Semester
Marks: 2
(1) Who wrote The Garden Party?
Ans: Katherine Mansfield wrote The Garden Party.
(2) When was The Garden Party first published?
Ans: The Garden Party was first published in 1922.
(3) What is Katherine Mansfield’s real name?
Ans: Katherine Mansfield’s real name is Kathleen Mansfield Murry.
(4) In what collection of Mansfield’s short stories is The Garden Party included?
Ans: The Garden Party is included in Katherine Mansfield’s short story collection titled The Garden Party and Other Stories.
(5) Who arranged the garden party?
Ans: The Sheridan family arranged the garden party.
(6) Write the total number of members in the family.
Ans: The Sheridan family consists of six members: Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan and their four children.
(7) How many children do the Sheridan couple have, and what are their names?
Ans: Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan have four children: Laurie (a son), and three daughters—Laura, Jose, and Meg.
(8) Describe the weather on the day the garden party was arranged.
OR, How was the weather in the early summer?
OR, When did the garden party take place?
Ans: The weather on the day of the garden party was perfect. It was windless, warm, and the sky was clear and cloudless. Like an early summer morning, the sky had a light golden haze, making the day ideal for a garden party.
(9) Give a description of the Sheridans’ garden.
Ans: The Sheridan family’s garden was beautiful and carefully maintained by a gardener. It featured plants like roses and lavender, lush green grass, and bushes. The garden also had manicured lawns, a lily lawn, and karaka trees with broad gleaming leaves and clusters of yellow fruits.
(10) How was Jose dressed?
Ans: Jose was dressed in a silk petticoat and a kimono jacket.
The Garden Party Short Questions Answers Class 11 English Second Semester
Marks: 2
(11) Why was Jose compared to a ‘butterfly’?
Ans: Jose was compared to a butterfly because she was always fashionably dressed in bright, colorful outfits.
(12) When and in which collection was The Garden Party first published?
Ans: The Garden Party was published in 1922 in the collection The Garden Party and Other Stories.
(13) Who hosted the garden party, and where was it hosted?
Ans: The Sheridan family hosted the garden party in their luxurious garden.
(14) Who are the members of the Sheridan family?
Ans: The members of the Sheridan family are Mr. Sheridan, Mrs. Sheridan, Laurie, Laura, Meg, and Jose.
(15) Why did the workers come in the morning, and who supervised them?
Ans: The workers came in the morning to put up the marquee. Laura supervised them.
(16) How many siblings were there in the Sheridan family? Who, according to Mrs. Sheridan, was the most artistic one?
Ans: There were four siblings in the Sheridan family, namely Laura, Laurie, Jose, and Meg.
According to Mrs. Sheridan, Laura was the most artistic one.
(17) What did the gardener do in the morning?
Ans: The gardener had been up since dawn, mowing the lawns and sweeping them. He worked meticulously until the grass and the dark flat rosettes, where the daisy plants had been, seemed to shine.
(18) Which flowers impress people at garden-parties? How many of those flowers bloomed on that day?
Ans: According to the narrator, roses are the only flowers that impress people at garden-parties.
Hundreds of roses bloomed on that day.
(19) How did Laura supervise the workmen?
Ans: Initially, Laura imitated her mother’s tone to appear authoritative. However, the friendliness of the workmen impressed her, and she began speaking more naturally. Although she tried to direct them, the workmen ultimately decided everything themselves.
(20) How was the place for the marquee finalized?
Ans: Laura suggested the lily-lawn for the marquee. However, the workmen pointed out that it was not a prominent location. She then suggested the corner of the tennis court, but the workers decided to place it against the karaka trees.
The Garden Party Short Questions Answers Class 11 English Second Semester
Marks: 2
(21) Who is called ‘the butterfly’ in The Garden Party? Why?
Ans: Jose, Laura’s sister, is called ‘the butterfly’ in The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield.
She is called so because she always wore bright, colorful outfits, like a silk petticoat and kimono jacket, and was as carefree as a butterfly.
(22) Who placed the piano in a convenient position? Who sang with the piano?
Ans: The workers placed the piano in a convenient position.
Jose sang a song with the piano.
(23) What did the florist bring? Who had ordered the florist to bring the lilies?
Ans: The florist brought a wide, shallow tray full of pots containing radiant pink canna lilies.
Mrs. Sheridan had ordered the florist to bring the lilies.
(24) What do the flowers symbolize in The Garden Party?
Ans: In The Garden Party, flowers like roses, lilies, and lavender symbolize beauty, class distinction, social status, and the delicate joys of life. They represent celebration and joy but also highlight the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
(25) What song did Jose sing? What was the song about?
Ans: Jose sang “This Life is Weary.”
The song was melancholic and reflected on the fleeting nature of love and life, emphasizing its inevitable hopelessness.
(26) Who interrupted the song? Why?
Ans: Sadie, a maidservant, interrupted the song.
The cook had sent Sadie to fetch the flags for the sandwiches.
(27) How many kinds of sandwiches were prepared by the cook? Who congratulated the cook?
Ans: The cook prepared fifteen kinds of sandwiches.
Jose congratulated the cook for preparing such exquisite sandwiches.
(28) Who announced the arrival of Godber’s man? What was Godber’s famous for?
Ans: Sadie, the maidservant, announced the arrival of Godber’s man.
Godber’s was famous for its cream puffs.
(29) How did Mr. Scott die?
Ans: Mr. Scott died in an accident. His horse shied at a traction engine and threw him off, causing him to hit the back of his head. This injury proved fatal.
(30) Where did Mr. Scott live? What was his profession?
Ans: Mr. Scott lived in one of the ‘little cottages’ down the hill from the Sheridan family’s luxurious house.
He was a cart-driver by profession.
The Garden Party Short Questions Answers Class 11 English Second Semester
Marks: 2
(31) When and where did the accident take place?
Ans: The accident occurred that morning at the corner of Hawke Street.
(32) Why did Laura think of stopping the party?
Ans: Laura thought of stopping the party because Mr. Scott, their neighbor, had died in an accident that morning. She felt it would be inappropriate to hold a garden party with ‘a man dead just outside the front gate.’
(33) Whom did Laura tell first about stopping the party? How did the person react?
Ans: Laura first told her sister Jose about stopping the party.
Jose dismissed Laura’s suggestion, calling it extravagant and absurd. She argued that Mr. Scott’s death should not interfere with their plans.
(34) How was the atmosphere during Laura’s journey to the Scotts’ house?
Ans: It was growing dusky when Laura started for the Scotts’ cottage. The road gleamed white, the sky was pale, and the evening was quiet. As she crossed the broad road, she entered a dark and smoky lane.
(35) What did Laura see as she entered the Scotts’ locality?
Ans: As Laura entered the dark and smoky lane of the Scotts’ locality, she saw women in shawls and men in tweed caps hurrying by. Some men leaned over the palings, and children played in the doorways.
(36) Why did Laura feel awkward as she was entering the Scotts’ house?
Ans: Laura felt awkward because of her lace frock and decorated hat. She thought her fashionable attire was inappropriate for the occasion and felt she should have worn a coat instead.
The Garden Party Short Questions Answers Class 11 English Second Semester
Marks: 2
(37) How was Laura brought before the corpse?
Ans: Laura wanted to leave after meeting Mrs. Scott, but as she turned to leave, she accidentally entered the bedroom where Mr. Scott’s body lay. Em’s sister urged her to look at the dead body, and Laura felt compelled to comply.
(38) What is the main conflict in The Garden Party?
Ans: The main conflict in The Garden Party is between Laura’s privileged upbringing and the harsh reality of class differences. It also reflects the contrast between the Sheridans’ luxurious garden party and the tragedy of Mr. Scott’s death in the impoverished neighbourhood.
(39) How does Katherine Mansfield show the conflict between old and new technology in the story?
Ans: Katherine Mansfield highlights the transition brought by the Industrial Revolution. The cause of Mr. Scott’s death—the collision of an old cart with a new traction engine—symbolises the struggle between traditional and modern technology.
(40) What does Laura realise at the end of the story The Garden Party?
Ans: At the end of the story, Laura realises the reality of class differences, the superficiality of her own privileged world, and the fleeting nature of life. She understands that death transcends class distinctions and is universal.
(41) How did Mr. Scott’s dead body look?
Ans: To Laura, Mr. Scott’s body looked peaceful, as if he were in a deep and beautiful sleep. His eyes were closed, his head rested softly on the pillow, and he seemed serene and wonderful.
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