“The Garden Party” is a short story by Katherine Mansfield that was first published in 1922. The story is set in the Sheridan family’s garden, where they are hosting a party for their wealthy friends. The story follows the young protagonist, Laura, as she grapples with the class divide between her family and the neighboring working-class family, the Scotts.
While “The Garden Party” is often read as a commentary on class and privilege, it can also be interpreted as an allegory for the human experience. Mansfield uses the garden party as a metaphor for life itself, with its beauty, joy, and tragedy. Through Laura’s journey of self-discovery, Mansfield explores the themes of innocence, mortality, and the interconnectedness of all people.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the allegorical elements of “The Garden Party” and explore how Mansfield uses symbolism and imagery to convey her message. We will also examine the ways in which the story can be interpreted as a commentary on class and privilege, and how these themes intersect with the allegorical elements of the story.
Overview of “The Garden Party”
“The Garden Party” is a short story written by Katherine Mansfield in 1922. It is considered one of her most famous works and is often studied in literature classes. The story is set in the Sheridan family’s garden, where they are preparing for a party. The protagonist, Laura, is a young woman who is excited about the party but also concerned about the feelings of the family of a man who has recently died in their neighborhood.
Mansfield uses symbolism and allegory throughout the story to convey deeper themes and messages. For example, the garden party itself can be seen as a symbol of the upper class’s detachment from the working class, as the Sheridans are throwing the party for no particular reason while their neighbors are mourning. Laura’s interactions with the workmen who are setting up the party tent also highlight the class differences between the two groups.
Another important theme in the story is the loss of innocence and the realization that death is an inevitable part of life. Laura’s encounter with the dead man’s family and her subsequent realization that the party is insensitive to their grief marks a turning point in her understanding of the world.
Overall, “The Garden Party” is a thought-provoking story that explores complex themes through simple and elegant prose. Mansfield’s use of allegory and symbolism adds depth and meaning to the story, making it a valuable addition to the canon of modernist literature.
Symbolism in “The Garden Party”
The Sheridan’s Estate
The Sheridan’s estate can be seen as a symbol of the upper-class lifestyle. The garden party itself is a display of wealth and privilege, as the Sheridan family invites their wealthy friends and neighbors to their estate. This symbolizes the social status and power that comes with wealth and privilege.
The Marquee
The marquee, a large tent that provides shelter in the garden, symbolizes the Sheridan children’s sheltered upbringing. Laura ventures out of the marquee to deliver food to the Scotts, symbolically leaving the shelter of family to the uncertainty of the outer world. The marquee also represents the social boundaries that exist between the upper and lower classes.
The Garden
The garden in “The Garden Party” is a symbol of nature and the natural world. The garden is described as being full of life, with flowers in bloom and birds singing. This symbolizes the beauty and wonder of the natural world, which is often overlooked by the upper classes.
The Hat
Laura’s mother’s daisy-trimmed black hat is an elegant accessory that evokes the family’s high social class. The hat influences Laura’s behavior and values throughout the story, showing the corrupting nature of wealth and beauty. When Laura wears the hat, she feels powerful and important, but it also separates her from the lower classes.
The Dead Young Man
The dead young man symbolizes the harsh reality of life outside the Sheridan’s estate. His death is a reminder that life is fragile and that not everyone is privileged enough to live a life of luxury. The contrast between the beauty of the garden party and the tragedy of the young man’s death highlights the social and economic inequality that exists in society.
Themes and Motifs
Class Distinction
One of the central themes in Katherine Mansfield’s “The Garden Party” is class distinction. The story highlights the stark separation between the working class and the economic elites in an unequal society, specifically early 20th century New Zealand. The wealthy Sheridan family is portrayed as being completely out of touch with the reality of the working-class people who live nearby, and the story critiques this society’s division between elites who get to enjoy leisure time and the expendable laborers whose work enables that. This theme is reinforced through the contrast between the Sheridan family’s lavish garden party and the impoverished Scott family’s death.
Death and Mortality
Another theme in “The Garden Party” is death and mortality. The story explores how the death of a working-class man, Mr. Scott, affects the privileged Sheridan family. Laura, the main character, is deeply affected by the news of Mr. Scott’s death, and it causes her to question the values and attitudes of her own family. Death is also used as a catalyst for change in the story, as it awakens in Laura a dislike of her family’s elitism and prompts her to take action to help the Scott family.
Illusion versus Reality
A third theme in “The Garden Party” is the contrast between illusion and reality. The story portrays the Sheridan family as living in a world of illusion, where they are completely disconnected from the harsh realities of the working-class people who live nearby. Laura’s realization of the reality of Mr. Scott’s death shatters this illusion and prompts her to question the values and attitudes of her own family. The story also explores the idea that people often create illusions to shield themselves from the harsh realities of life, and that these illusions can be shattered by a single event or experience.
Character Analysis
Laura Sheridan
Laura Sheridan is the protagonist of “The Garden Party.” She is a young and sensitive girl who is deeply affected by the death of Mr. Scott. Laura is portrayed as more artistic and compassionate than the rest of her family. She is the only member of the family who questions the appropriateness of the garden party after learning of Mr. Scott’s death. Laura’s character development is evident in her transformation from a naive girl to a more mature and empathetic person.
Mrs. Sheridan
Mrs. Sheridan is Laura’s mother. She is portrayed as a woman who is obsessed with social status and appearances. Mrs. Sheridan is insensitive to the death of Mr. Scott and is more concerned with the success of the garden party. She is a static character who does not change throughout the story. Her character serves as a contrast to Laura’s character.
Laurie Sheridan
Laurie Sheridan is Laura’s brother. He is portrayed as a carefree and fun-loving person. Laurie is not affected by the death of Mr. Scott and is more concerned with having a good time at the garden party. He is a minor character who serves as a foil to Laura’s character.
The Workmen
The workmen are the laborers who are working on the road near the Sheridan’s house. They are portrayed as poor and hardworking people who are not appreciated by the Sheridan family. The death of Mr. Scott highlights the class differences between the Sheridans and the workmen.
The Scotts
The Scotts are the family of Mr. Scott. They are poor and live at the bottom of the hill. The death of Mr. Scott affects Laura deeply, and she is moved by the sight of his “wonderful, beautiful” dead body. The Scotts serve as a reminder of the harsh realities of life outside the Sheridan’s privileged world.
Literary Devices in the Story
Imagery
The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield employs vivid imagery to create a sensory experience for the reader. For example, when Laura Sheridan is walking through the garden, the author describes the “hot, blue sky,” the “big, blue sea,” and the “big, silent garden.” These descriptions create a picture in the reader’s mind and help to establish the setting of the story. Additionally, the author uses imagery to convey emotions and thoughts. For instance, when Laura sees the dead man’s body, the author describes his face as “extraordinarily beautiful” and “as though it had been painted.” This description creates a sense of awe and wonder in the reader, which contrasts with the tragedy of the situation.
Foreshadowing
Throughout the story, Katherine Mansfield uses foreshadowing to hint at the tragic ending. For example, when Laura is preparing for the party, she chooses to wear a hat with “big, floppy bows” that resemble “butterflies.” This image foreshadows the arrival of the dead man, who is described as having “butterfly wings.” Similarly, when Laura’s mother suggests that they cancel the party in light of the man’s death, Laura protests and insists that the party must go on. This foreshadows the final scene, in which Laura realizes the frivolity of the party and the tragedy of the man’s death.
Metaphor
Katherine Mansfield uses metaphor to convey complex ideas and emotions in The Garden Party. For example, when Laura is walking through the garden, she sees a group of workmen who are repairing a fence. The author describes the workmen as “little black figures” who are “like marks made with a brush.” This metaphor creates a sense of distance between Laura and the workmen, highlighting the class differences between them. Similarly, when Laura is describing the dead man’s body, she says that it is “like a wax image.” This metaphor conveys the idea that the man’s body is lifeless and artificial.
Irony
Irony is a pervasive literary device in The Garden Party. For example, when Laura and her family are preparing for the party, they are consumed with trivial details such as the placement of the marquee and the color of the flowers. This emphasis on superficiality is ironic in light of the tragic events that unfold later in the story. Similarly, when the band begins to play at the party, the author describes the music as “gay and frivolous.” This description is ironic in light of the fact that a man has just died outside the gates of the garden.
Historical Context of the Work
Katherine Mansfield’s “The Garden Party” was published in 1922, during a time of great social and political upheaval in Europe. The story is set in pre-World War I England, where the Sheridan family is preparing for a garden party. Mansfield herself was born and raised in New Zealand, which was then a British colony, and her experiences growing up in a colonial society likely influenced her portrayal of the class divisions in the story.
During this time, the world was still reeling from the devastation of World War I, which had ended just a few years earlier. Mansfield’s own brother had died during the war, and this tragedy may have influenced her treatment of death in the story. Additionally, the rise of modernism in literature was challenging traditional notions of storytelling, and “The Garden Party” is often cited as an example of modernist fiction.
The story’s themes of class, privilege, and death are also reflective of the time period in which it was written. The wealthy Sheridan family’s lavish garden party serves as a stark contrast to the poverty and suffering experienced by many during this time. Mansfield’s use of allegory in the story has also been interpreted as a commentary on the state of the world before and after the war.
Overall, “The Garden Party” is a reflection of the social and political climate of early 20th century Europe, and a testament to Mansfield’s skill as a modernist writer.
Reception and Critical Analysis
Katherine Mansfield’s “The Garden Party” has been widely praised and analyzed by literary critics since its publication in 1922. The story has been hailed as a masterpiece of modernist literature and has been included in numerous anthologies of short stories.
Critics have noted the allegorical nature of the story, with the garden party serving as a symbol of the upper class’s detachment from the realities of life. Mansfield’s use of imagery and symbolism has also been praised, with the garden itself representing the illusion of perfection and beauty that the wealthy strive for.
One of the most significant themes of the story is the contrast between the privileged Sheridan family and the working-class residents of the nearby cottages. Critics have noted that Mansfield’s portrayal of the working class is sympathetic and nuanced, with the character of the dead man’s wife serving as a reminder of the harsh realities of life that the Sheridans are shielded from.
Overall, “The Garden Party” has been praised for its masterful use of language, its exploration of complex themes, and its ability to convey a powerful message through its allegorical structure.
Comparative Analysis
Similar Works
Katherine Mansfield’s “The Garden Party” is often compared to Anton Chekhov’s works, particularly “The Cherry Orchard,” due to the parallel themes of social class, death, and the fragility of human existence. Both stories explore the complexities of human relationships and the fleeting nature of life, and both authors use symbolism to convey their messages. However, while Chekhov’s work is more overtly political, Mansfield’s is more focused on the psychological impact of death on the individual.
Influence on Modern Literature
“The Garden Party” has had a significant impact on modern literature, particularly in the realm of feminist literature. The story’s portrayal of Laura’s journey from innocence to maturity has been seen as a metaphor for the feminist struggle for equality and independence. Additionally, the story’s examination of social class and the power dynamics inherent in such relationships has influenced many contemporary writers. Mansfield’s use of symbolism and imagery has also been emulated by writers such as Virginia Woolf and James Joyce.
Overall, “The Garden Party” remains a powerful and influential work of literature, exploring timeless themes in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.