- Identify and analyze the author's financial struggles in the story.
- Discuss the use of irony throughout the narrative.
- Examine the author's humor and its impact on the story.
- Explore the significance of the first-person narrative style.
- Evaluate character development and relationships in the text.
The Luncheon
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Learning Objectives
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Revision Notes & Summary
TopThe Luncheon
Overview
- Author: William Somerset Maugham
- Notable Works: Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence, Cakes and Ale
- Writing Style: Lucid, economical, revealing character and situation with few touches.
Key Themes
- Financial Struggles: The narrator's financial situation is a central theme, highlighting the disparity between his means and the expectations of his guest.
- Irony: The story is rich with irony, particularly in the narrator's attempts to impress his guest while struggling to afford the meal.
- Humor: Maugham's humor is evident in the narrator's self-deprecating observations and the absurdity of the situation.
Important Characters
- Narrator: A struggling writer living in Paris, who is flattered by the attention of a woman he once knew.
- The Lady: A talkative woman who appears imposing and is unaware of the financial burden she places on the narrator.
Plot Summary
- Meeting the Lady: The narrator recalls a past meeting with a woman who had invited him to lunch.
- The Luncheon: At the restaurant, the lady orders lavishly while the narrator is anxious about the bill.
- Financial Anxiety: The narrator's internal struggle with his finances is highlighted as he tries to maintain a facade of generosity.
- Conclusion: The story ends with a twist, revealing the lady's current state, which brings the narrator a sense of vindication.
Discussion Questions
- How does Maugham use irony in the story?
- In what ways does the first-person narrative enhance the story's effects?
- Discuss the humor in the narrator's predicament.
Language Work
-
Words/Phrases Indicating Financial Struggles:
Practice Test – MCQs, True/False
TopMultiple Choice Questions
A.
She claims to eat very little but orders expensive and multiple dishes.
B.
She claims to dislike meat but orders a steak.
C.
She claims to be a vegetarian but orders fish.
D.
She claims to be on a diet but orders dessert.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The irony lies in the woman's claim that she never eats more than one thing for luncheon, yet she orders multiple expensive items, contradicting her statement.
A.
She never eats more than one thing for luncheon
B.
She always eats a heavy luncheon
C.
She prefers to skip luncheon
D.
She eats a lot during luncheon
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The lady claimed that she never eats more than one thing for luncheon.
A.
She eats a large variety of dishes.
B.
She claims to eat lightly but ends up ordering expensive items.
C.
She refuses to eat anything.
D.
She only drinks water and eats a small salad.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The woman claims to eat lightly but orders caviare, salmon, asparagus, and other expensive items.
A.
By writing a story about the experience.
B.
By seeing the woman gain weight over the years.
C.
By confronting the woman about her behavior.
D.
By refusing to pay the bill.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The author achieves a sense of revenge by observing that the woman has gained a significant amount of weight over the years, which he finds satisfying.
A.
It represents his attempt to save money by choosing the cheapest item.
B.
It symbolizes his preference for meat over other foods.
C.
It highlights his disregard for the guest's dietary advice.
D.
It reflects his desire to impress the guest with his choice of food.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The author chooses the mutton chop because it is the cheapest dish on the menu, reflecting his financial constraints.
A.
Relieved
B.
Indifferent
C.
Pale and concerned
D.
Excited
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The author turned a trifle pale when the lady ordered Champagne, indicating concern.
A.
He had enough money to comfortably cover the luncheon costs.
B.
He had a limited budget and was concerned about the expenses.
C.
He was wealthy and unconcerned about the cost of the meal.
D.
He was expecting someone else to pay for the meal.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The author mentions having only eighty francs to last the rest of the month, indicating his financial constraints.
A.
Metaphor
B.
Simile
C.
Personification
D.
Hyperbole
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The description of the peaches uses a metaphor by comparing their appearance to the blush of an innocent girl.
A.
He was delighted
B.
He was indifferent
C.
Panic seized him
D.
He was amused
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Panic seized the author when the lady ordered the giant asparagus due to their high cost.
A.
To order the cheapest dish on the menu.
B.
To skip dinner for a week.
C.
To borrow money from a friend.
D.
To use his savings for the month.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The author plans to order the cheapest dish, a mutton chop, to manage the cost of the meal.
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The Luncheon
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Locked • Full Phase AssessmentStep 3: Redemption Arena
Locked • AI Weakness TrackerTrue or False
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The author was not financially well-off and was concerned about the cost of the luncheon.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
William Somerset Maugham qualified as a doctor but preferred writing to practicing medicine.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The author was surprised by the high prices when the bill of fare was brought.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The author was not financially well-off and found Foyot's to be far beyond his means, indicating his financial struggles.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The lady guest ordered asparagus even though she claimed she wasn't hungry.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
William Somerset Maugham was born in Paris.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The author left the restaurant with no money left for the rest of the month, feeling financially strained.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Despite claiming she never ate more than one thing, the woman ordered caviare, salmon, asparagus, and ice-cream.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The author was not financially well-off, as indicated by his concern about the cost of the luncheon and his limited budget.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The woman stated she never drank anything for luncheon, but then mentioned that her doctor only allowed her to drink Champagne.
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