The Luncheon
About the Author
- Name: William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)
- Profession: British playwright, novelist, and short story writer.
- Famous For: One of the most popular and highest-paid authors of the 1930s.
- Writing Style: Simple, clear, and humorous with a deep understanding of human nature.
- Key Works: “The Luncheon” is a humorous short story reflecting his witty storytelling.
Key Characters
1. The Narrator:
- A young, struggling writer living in Paris 20 years ago.
- Polite, generous, but worried about money.
- Feels embarrassed and anxious during the lunch but hides it.
- Finds humor in the situation years later when he sees the woman’s weight gain.
2. The Woman:
- Talkative, imposing (grand-looking), and claims to eat very little.
- Hypocritical-she says one thing but does the opposite by ordering expensive dishes.
- Unaware of the narrator’s financial struggles and insensitive to his situation.
- Her actions create humor and frustration for the narrator.
Themes
1. Hypocrisy:
- The woman claims to eat lightly but orders many expensive dishes, showing her dishonesty.
- Her behavior contrasts with her words, making her a humorous yet frustrating character.
2. Social Embarrassment:
- The narrator worries about not having enough money to pay the bill, which could embarrass him in public.
- He feels pressured to act generous despite his financial struggles.
3. Humor and Irony:
- The story uses irony (saying one thing but meaning the opposite) to create humor.
- Example: The woman’s claim of eating “one thing” while ordering multiple dishes.
4. Revenge and Satisfaction:
- The narrator feels satisfied years later when he sees the woman has gained a lot of weight.
- This shows a subtle sense of justice without being cruel.
Important Vocabulary
- Far beyond one’s means: Too expensive to afford.
- Imposing: Grand or impressive in appearance.
- Caviar: An expensive dish made from fish eggs.
- Mortifying: Feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
- Inadequate: Not enough or insufficient.
- Retorted: Replied quickly with anger or frustration.
- Vindictive: Revengeful or wanting to harm someone.
- Stone: A unit of weight (1 stone = 14 pounds).
Literary Devices
1. Irony:
- Verbal Irony: The woman’s statements about eating lightly are the opposite of her actions, e.g., saying “I never eat more than one thing” while ordering multiple dishes.
- Situational Irony: The narrator expects a simple, affordable lunch but ends up with no money, while the woman, who claims to be healthy, becomes overweight.
2. Humor:
- Created through the woman’s hypocrisy, the narrator’s sarcastic thoughts, and the exaggerated situations, like his fear of not being able to pay the bill.
- The ending, where the woman gains weight, adds a humorous twist.
3. Exaggeration:
- The narrator’s dramatic thoughts, such as pretending his pocket was picked or leaving his watch as payment, add humor to his growing panic.
Additional Notes
- Setting: The story is set in Paris, mainly at Foyot’s, an expensive restaurant, 20 years ago from the narrator’s present time.
- Tone: Humorous and light-hearted, with a touch of sarcasm and irony.
- Moral: The story highlights the importance of being considerate and honest, as hypocrisy and insensitivity can cause trouble for others.
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