The Luncheon by William Somerset Maugham
The
Luncheon by William Somerset Maugham
His works, such as Of
Human Bondage, The Luncheon, and Rain, explore human frailty
and relationships with wit and realism. Maugham’s clear style and sharp
observations made him one of the most popular writers of the 20th century.
Understanding The Text
1. Although the author was not a vindictive man, he
was very happy to see the twenty-one stone lady who had impoverished him twenty
years ago, and says he had finally had his revenge. What makes him says this?
Answer: Even though he says he's not a vengeful
person, the author is secretly happy that the lady is now very overweight. He
feels like it's a kind of payback because she caused him to spend almost all
his money on that one lunch years ago. It's like, she ate so much that day and
now she’s paying for it with her weight. He sees her weight gain as a form of
revenge.
2. There are quite a few places where the author uses
the expressions ‘my heart sank’, ‘panic seized’ etc. What was the reason for
this?
Answer: These phrases show how stressed the author was
getting about the money.
"My heart sank" happens when the lady orders expensive things like
caviare and asparagus. Each time she orders something, he knows it is going to
cost more money, and he is worried.
"Panic seized me" happens when he starts thinking about the final bill.
He realizes he might not have enough money to pay, and he's really scared.
3. Locate instances of irony in the story.
Answer: Irony is when things are the opposite of what
you expect. There are several instances of irony in this story:
The lady says she "never eats more than one thing
for lunch," but then she eats a lot of courses; she’s a hypocrite.
She tells the author he eats too much, while she eats
more than him.
She says one should leave a meal feeling like they
could eat a little more, after having eaten a huge meal herself.
Talking About the Text
Discuss in pairs or in small groups
1. People with foibles are often not conscious of
them.
Answer: The lady is a great example of this. She
doesn't realize that she's being greedy and inconsiderate. People often don't
realize what their bad habits or quirks are. They might think they are being
perfectly normal or reasonable, like the lady in this story.
2. The author’s attempts at keeping up his pretence of
friendliness while he was mentally preoccupied with the expense of the luncheon.
Answer: Even though the author was freaking out about
the money, he tried to stay polite. He kept talking to her nicely while
worrying inside about the cost. He was pretending to be friendly even though he
was mentally calculating how much the bill was going to be and worrying he
wouldn't have enough to pay.
Appreciation
1. The author is a humorist
a. How does the story reflect his sense of humour?
Answer: The story is funny because of the big
difference between what the author is thinking (panic about money) and what
he's saying (polite conversation). It is funny because the lady is a hypocrite
who seems oblivious to her own behaviour.
b. What makes his lady friend remark—‘you are quite a humorist’?
Answer: The lady calls the author a
"humorist" when he says he won't eat dinner to follow her advice
about eating only one thing at lunch. It is funny because he's making a joke
about her suggestion by taking it to an extreme.
c. Give instances of the author’s ability to laugh at
himself.
Answer: The author makes fun of himself by telling us
how worried he was and how he even thought about pretending to have his pocket
picked. He laughs at his own younger, naive self and how much he was struggling
to keep up appearances.
2. How does the first-person narrative help in
heightening the literary effects of the story?
Answer: When the author says "I," it helps
us understand exactly how he felt. We get to hear his thoughts and worries,
which makes the story more personal and funnier because we know what he's
really thinking compared to what he is saying and doing.
Language Work
Pick out the words and phrases in the text that
indicate that the author was not financially well off.
Answer: The words and phrases from the text that show
the author was not financially well-off:
a.
"tiny
apartment in the Latin quarter overlooking a cemetery"
b.
"earning
barely enough money to keep the body and soul together"
c.
"it was so
far beyond my means that I had never even thought of going there"
d.
"I had
eighty francs (gold francs) to last me the rest of the month"•
e.
"a modest
luncheon should not cost more than fifteen"
f.
"If I cut
out coffee for the next two weeks I could manage well enough"
g.
"For myself
I chose the cheapest dish on the menu and that was a mutton chop"
h.
"I knew I
could not afford caviare but I could not very well tell her that"
i.
"Panic
seized me: it was not a question now how much money I should have left over for
the rest of the month but whether I had enough to pay the bill."
j.
"It would be
mortifying to find myself ten francs short and be obliged to borrow from my
guest"
k.
"when I paid
it I found that I had only enough for a quite inadequate tip"
l.
"when I
walked out of the restaurant I had the whole month before me and not a penny in
my pocket"
Dialogue
between the writer and the lady
[Scene: A quiet café in Paris. The narrator, now a
seasoned writer, is seated at a table near the window. The lady enters, her
appearance still elegant but showing signs of age. She notices the narrator and
approaches with a warm smile.]
Lady:
(smiling) "Well, well, if it isn’t the charming young writer! Or should I
say, not so young anymore?"
Narrator: (smirking)
"And if it isn’t my favourite gourmand. I suppose time hasn’t dulled your
appetite for life's luxuries?"
Lady: (laughs
lightly) "Oh, you remember me too well. But I hope you don’t still hold a
grudge for that luncheon at Foyot's. It was all in good fun, wasn’t it?"
Narrator:
(leaning back in his chair) "Good fun, you say? For you, perhaps. For me,
it was a month's worth of anxiety over my bank balance."
Lady:
"Oh, surely a successful writer like you now looks back and laughs at such
trivial matters. After all, it was an investment in an unforgettable
afternoon."
Narrator:
(raising an eyebrow) "Unforgettable indeed. You managed to eat your way
through the menu while assuring me you never eat more than one thing."
Lady:
(feigning innocence) "I was simply appreciating the finer things in life.
Besides, I distinctly recall you offered to treat me."
Narrator:
"True, but I didn’t anticipate treating you to an entire culinary tour of
Paris. Tell me, does the habit persist?"
Lady:
(sighing theatrically) "Ah, those were the days. Age has a way of taming
even the most indulgent appetites. These days, I’m more... selective."
Narrator:
"Selective, you say? I shudder to think what that might entail."
Lady:
(playfully) "Don’t worry. I’m much kinder to my hosts now."
Narrator:
"Kindness is a virtue I wouldn’t have associated with you back then. But
tell me, do you ever look back and feel the slightest twinge of guilt?"
Lady:
(pausing, then smiling wistfully) "Perhaps a little. But if I’m honest, it
was a moment I’ll always cherish. You were such delightful company."
Narrator:
(softening) "And despite the dent in my pocket, I must admit, it was a
story worth telling. You’ve given me more than a luncheon—you gave me
material."
Lady:
(laughing) "So, I’m your muse, then! I suppose that makes us even?"
Narrator:
(with a sly grin) "Even, perhaps. But don’t expect me to offer lunch
today."
Lady:
(smiling warmly) "I wouldn’t dream of it. Let me return the favour this
time. It’s the least I can do for the man who immortalized me in his
words."
[They share a genuine laugh, the weight of the past
lightened by time and humour.]
"A
Feast for a ‘Modest Appetite’"
The food the Lady consumed at the Foyot’s
Salmon – Her main course.
Caviar – A side she ordered alongside.
Champagne – To accompany the meal.
Asparagus – An extravagant delicacy served next.
Peach – Her choice of dessert.
Ice Cream – Another dessert she enjoyed.
Coffee – Concluded the meal.
Foyot's was a famous
and upscale restaurant in Paris during the early 20th century. It was located
near the French Senate, attracting a wealthy and influential clientele,
including politicians, artists, and writers. Known for its luxurious ambiance
and gourmet cuisine, Foyot’s symbolized sophistication and exclusivity.
Let’s
Have Fun!
1. Where does the
luncheon in the story take place?
a) A small café
b) Foyot’s restaurant
c) The narrator’s home
d) A beachside café
2. What is the lady's
claim about her appetite at the beginning of the story?
a) She eats a lot but only at dinner
b) She never eats more than one thing for luncheon
c) She is a vegetarian
d) She is always on a diet
3. What dish does the
lady order first?
a) Caviar
b) Salmon
c) Asparagus
d) Peach
4. What drink does the
lady order during the meal?
a) Wine
b) Tea
c) Champagne
d) Coffee
5. Which of the
following items does the lady NOT eat during the luncheon?
a) Ice Cream
b) Peach
c) Caviar
d) Steak
6. How does the
narrator feel as the luncheon progresses?
a) Happy to spend his money
b) Anxious about the growing cost of the meal
c) Completely relaxed
d) Indifferent to the meal
7. What is the irony in
the lady’s behaviour during the luncheon?
a) She claims to never eat more than one thing but orders multiple dishes
b) She only orders a salad but eats dessert
c) She eats very little but complains about the food
d) She doesn’t eat anything at all
8. How does the
narrator describe the lady's appearance when they meet 20 years later?
a) She looks exactly the same
b) She has gained weight
c) She is frail and weak
d) She looks younger than before
9. What is the primary
theme of "The Luncheon"?
a) The unpredictability of life
b) The contrast between appearances and reality
c) The importance of friendships
d) The joy of dining in Paris
10. How does the
narrator eventually view the luncheon years later?
a) As an embarrassing experience
b) With anger and resentment
c) With humour and understanding
d) As a costly mistake
Answers:
1. b) Foyot’s restaurant
2. b) She never eats more
than one thing for luncheon
3. b) Salmon
4. c) Champagne
5. d) Steak
6. b) Anxious about the
growing cost of the meal
7. a) She claims to never
eat more than one thing but orders multiple dishes
8. b) She has gained
weight
9. b) The contrast between
appearances and reality
10. c) With humour and
understanding
"A
Dramatic Deficit and a Flourish of Fortune"
If the bill was about
to exceed the narrator's ability to pay, he might suddenly gasp, “Wait! I think
my pocket’s been picked!” — a far-fetched yet theatrically perfect excuse. With
a look of sheer panic, he would scan the restaurant, his eyes darting suspiciously
at the other diners, as if searching for the invisible thief who had stolen his
funds, adding a layer of absurdity to the scene.
At this moment, the
lady, ever the queen of drama, would surely swoop in with a grand gesture.
Feigning sympathy, she might smile with exaggerated kindness, “Oh, what a
terrible misfortune! You poor thing!” She would then theatrically open her
purse and, as if prepared for this very moment, pull out a wad of cash—perhaps
enough to cover the bill and then some. “Don’t worry, my dear,” she’d say with
a flourish, “I’ve always believed in helping struggling writers.”
"The
Luncheon" (Rewritten)
I first met the lady
when I was a young, struggling writer. She had invited me to lunch at a café,
and I was completely taken by her charm. She was an elegant woman, dressed with
a taste that suggested wealth and sophistication. We arranged to meet at Foyot’s,
a fine restaurant in Paris.
She greeted me with the
same gracious smile and warmth that I remembered. We sat down, and she looked
at the menu with a slight air of superiority. She then made her pronouncement:
“I never eat more than one dish for luncheon.” I was relieved. A simple meal
would make it easier for me to manage the cost.
She ordered salmon, and
I chose something equally modest, hoping it would suffice for both our tastes.
As she ate, I watched her delicate movements and tried to keep up the
conversation. I noticed that she ate slowly, savouring each bite of her dish,
and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief at how little she had ordered.
The meal progressed,
and though she stuck to her single dish, I realized the bill was still growing.
The salmon she had ordered was expensive, and paired with fine champagne and a
dessert of fresh fruit, the meal had become quite costly. The irony wasn’t lost
on me—her “simple” lunch was anything but modest.
When the bill arrived,
I hesitated, knowing I could barely afford it. With an effortless smile, she
offered to pay, and I accepted, still too proud to protest. She handed the
waiter a generous tip, and we left the restaurant, both satisfied in our own way.
As we parted ways, she
turned to me and said, “It’s a good thing you didn’t have to buy more than one
dish; I’ve always believed in helping struggling writers.” I was both amused
and embarrassed.
Years later, I ran into
her again at a gathering. She hadn’t changed much, though her appearance seemed
a little more, well, indulgent. The memory of that lunch, however, had stayed
with me. Funny how the simplest meals could sometimes end up being the most
expensive. I couldn’t help but smile to myself, reflecting on how little had
really changed.
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