8. The Luncheon - Class 11 - Woven Words

BhashaLab
Jun 28
5 min read

Updated: Jun 29

Author: William Somerset Maugham

Textbook: Woven Words

Genre: Short Story / Humorous Narrative

Summary

“The Luncheon” by W. Somerset Maugham is a witty and ironic account of a memorable lunch the narrator had with a woman who had once written to him about his book. At that time, the narrator was a struggling writer living on a tight budget in Paris. When the lady insisted on having lunch at the expensive Foyot’s restaurant, the narrator, flattered by the attention, agreed despite financial concerns. The woman claimed she ate lightly and would only have one dish, yet she ordered one expensive item after another: caviar, salmon, asparagus, champagne, ice-cream, coffee, and even a peach. Meanwhile, the narrator could only afford a modest mutton chop and water. Throughout the meal, he silently panicked about the bill while maintaining a polite conversation. Ironically, the woman continued insisting she never ate much. In the end, the narrator was left penniless for the rest of the month. Years later, he sees the same woman—now weighing twenty-one stone—and feels a humorous sense of revenge. The story is a satire on human hypocrisy and social pretensions.

Character Sketch

Narrator (W. Somerset Maugham):

A young, struggling writer in Paris who is polite, humorous, and ironic. He tries to remain composed while internally worrying about the cost of an expensive lunch. His self-deprecating tone and dry wit add humor to the situation. He shows generosity and patience, even when taken advantage of.

The Lady (Luncheon Guest):

A self-absorbed, manipulative woman who claims to eat lightly but orders a series of costly dishes without consideration for her host. She speaks confidently about her health, diet, and social habits, masking her gluttony under the pretense of moderation. Her final transformation into a heavy woman adds irony and humor to her character.

Themes

Theme	Description
Irony and Satire	The story humorously highlights the difference between what is said and what is done, especially through the lady’s contradictions.
Social Hypocrisy	The woman pretends to be modest and health-conscious but behaves with selfish indulgence.
Financial Struggles	The narrator’s internal panic reflects the anxiety of living within one’s means while trying to uphold social appearances.
Gender and Power Dynamics	The narrator, though the host, is powerless and manipulated by his guest’s demands.
Revenge Through Time	The narrator’s final observation of the woman’s weight offers comic poetic justice.

✨ Literary Devices

Device	Example / Explanation
Irony	The woman says she eats little but consumes a lavish meal.
Hyperbole	"She had more teeth than necessary" exaggerates her dominating presence.
Imagery	Description of the peaches: “the blush of an innocent girl” appeals to the senses.
Humour	The narrator’s dry wit and inner monologue create comic effect.
First-person narration	Makes the story personal, engaging, and highlights the narrator’s inner conflict.

Title Justification

The title “The Luncheon” is simple yet ironic. It refers to what should have been a modest meal, but turns out to be an extravagant and stressful event for the narrator. The entire plot revolves around this one luncheon and its lasting emotional (and financial) impact on him. The title also captures the essence of the story’s humor and satire about a supposedly light meal that turns out to be anything but that.

One-Mark Questions

Why was the narrator anxious during the luncheon?
The narrator was worried about the high cost of the meal, as he had only eighty francs to last him the month. His guest kept ordering expensive items despite claiming she never ate much.
What was ironic about the woman’s eating habits?
She repeatedly claimed she never ate more than one thing for lunch. However, she ordered caviare, salmon, asparagus, ice-cream, coffee, and a peach.
How did the narrator try to deal with the rising cost of the meal?
He mentally prepared excuses like pretending his pocket had been picked or offering to leave his watch behind. Despite this, he politely continued the conversation to save face.
How did the woman justify her eating?
She claimed she was only eating for the sake of conversation and always got up from a meal feeling she could eat more. She presented her indulgence as moderation.
How does the narrator describe his feeling of revenge?
Years later, the narrator sees the same woman, now weighing twenty-one stone. This gives him a quiet sense of satisfaction and revenge, despite not being a vindictive person.

Three-Mark Questions

What does the luncheon incident reveal about social pretensions and human behavior?The story highlights how people often say one thing and do another. The lady insists on eating lightly but chooses the most expensive items on the menu. Her behavior shows how some individuals use charm and manipulation to get what they want. She hides her gluttony under the guise of health and modesty. The narrator’s polite silence contrasts with his internal frustration, showing how social etiquette often suppresses honesty.
How does Somerset Maugham use humor to tell the story?Maugham uses dry wit, irony, and exaggeration to create humor. His detailed descriptions of the woman’s eating and her contradictory statements are comically absurd. The narrator’s internal monologue and dramatic plans to escape paying the bill add to the fun. Even the final twist—her weight gain—is presented as poetic justice. Humor is used to mask deeper themes of social pressure and human flaws.
Describe the importance of the restaurant setting in the story.The expensive restaurant, Foyot’s, symbolizes luxury and class—far beyond the narrator’s means. The setting intensifies the narrator’s anxiety as the woman keeps ordering costly dishes. The sophisticated atmosphere contrasts with the narrator’s internal panic and financial limitations. The place also enhances the irony, as the guest treats it casually while the narrator dreads the bill. The setting is crucial to the humor and tension of the story.

Value-Based Question

What does the story teach us about honesty and self-respect in social situations?The story reminds us that people may often take advantage of others' politeness or desire to impress. The narrator’s hesitation to say “no” leads to unnecessary stress and financial strain. It is important to set boundaries and be honest about one’s limitations. Pretending or suffering in silence can lead to resentment or loss of self-respect. True courtesy should be mutual and considerate.

End

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