56 pages 1 hour read

Katherine Mansfield

The Garden Party

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1922

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Answer Key

Page numbers refer to this online edition of “The Garden Party.”

Reading Check

1. Her children (Page 1)

2. A workman sniffed a sprig of lavender. (Page 2)

3. Cream puffs (Page 6)

4. If the man had died in the Sheridans’ garden (Page 7)

5. Her hat (Page 12)

Short Answer

1. Jose sings the song “This Life is Weary” for her family in order to practice. The song’s lyrics touch on sorrow, changing love, and loss, a sharp contrast to the family’s giddy and light mood. (Pages 4-5)

2. Godber’s deliveryman shares the news that a local man died in an accident that morning, leaving a widow and five children. Immediately, Laura is shocked and believes the party should be canceled; however, Jose believes canceling the party would be “extravagant.” (Pages 6-7)

3. While the Sheridans’ property is vast, with a large garden filled with exotic plants and a tennis court, the little cottages are, by contrast, “the greatest possible eyesore,” with “little mean dwellings,” scant gardens, and “poverty-stricken” chimney smoke. (Pages 1-7)

4. Mrs. Sheridan suggests that Laura take a basket of leftover food from the party to the widow and her family. Laura is at first unsure of the suggestion but then eagerly jumps at the opportunity to help.

Related Titles

By Katherine Mansfield

Study Guide

logo

Bliss

Katherine Mansfield

Bliss

Katherine Mansfield

Plot Summary

logo

Her First Ball

Katherine Mansfield

Her First Ball

Katherine Mansfield

Study Guide

logo

Marriage a la Mode

Katherine Mansfield

Marriage a la Mode

Katherine Mansfield

Study Guide

logo

Miss Brill

Katherine Mansfield

Miss Brill

Katherine Mansfield

Study Guide

logo

The Doll's House

Katherine Mansfield

The Doll's House

Katherine Mansfield

Study Guide

logo

The Fly

Katherine Mansfield

The Fly

Katherine Mansfield