Let us use “The Luncheon” by W. Somerset Maugham as an example to explain the different aspects of study, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation in literary criticism.
In “The Luncheon”, W.
Somerset Maugham, the author tells the story of a lady who admires his writing.
She gains the author’s favour and announces her desire to see him at a high-end
restaurant. Maugham exposes the middle class’s fake motivations for modest eating habits with a sense of humour.
Twenty years ago, while
living in Paris, the author met a lady who admired his stories. She had read
one of his books and written him a letter outlining her opinions. Another
letter was sent, this time detailing her trip to Paris and her desire to have a
small luncheon at the Foyots, a restaurant where French senators dine. Maugham
was not a wealthy man, and he had never considered visiting that restaurant. He
could not also refuse her request.
After calculating the cost
of a luncheon, which should not exceed fifteen francs, he decided to remove
coffee from his menu so that he could have enough for himself for the next two
weeks. His meeting was scheduled for Thursday at half past twelve through
correspondence. The lady was in her thirties, chatty, and unattractive. She had
ordered salmon and caviar while it was being prepared. Maugham had selected the
lowest entrée, mutton chops.
After the meal, she had
requested white champagne. She continued to enjoy the meal and talk about art,
literature, and music, while Maugham worried about the payment. The bill of
fare exceeded his expectations. When the server arrived with the bill, she
waved him off with a gesture and requested asparagus, an expensive dish. Maugham’s
heart fell and his lips went wet, but he had to control his feelings. To make
matters worse, she ordered ice cream and then coffee while declaring that she “never
ate anything for lunch - just a bite”. Maugham’s mind raced with ideas on how
he would pay the expensive bill or how he would mimic an act of pocket picking.
To his utter dismay, the head waiter approached the table with an enormous
basket full of massive peaches. She picked up one, claiming that her dinner was
only a snack and that she could definitely eat the peach.
The bill was finally paid,
and Maugham found himself with only a few francs for tips and no money left in
his pocket for the entire month. Maugham believes he has had his revenge since,
after twenty years, he met her weighing one hundred and thirty-six kilogrammes.
1. Study: Learning and
Understanding the Broader Context
Study involves understanding the
background, context, and circumstances in which the story was written. It’s
about learning who the author is, what influenced the work,
and the larger historical, social, or cultural context.
Example for “The
Luncheon”:
·
Author's Background: W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) was an English playwright, novelist,
and short story writer. He was known for his sharp observations of human
nature, his witty style, and his often ironic approach to life. Maugham’s works
often include themes of human vulnerability, social class, and the disparities
between appearance and reality.
·
Historical Context: “The Luncheon” was written in a time when there were significant class
divides in Western societies. The story’s portrayal of wealth, social pretence,
and expectations around class reflects this cultural environment.
·
Literary Context: Maugham’s writing was influenced by his experiences living in
different countries, his career as a doctor, and his observations of social
dynamics. “The Luncheon” uses humour and irony to critique the attitudes of the
wealthy or those who put on airs of sophistication.
·
Goal of Study: Understanding Maugham’s broader literary style and context helps one
appreciate the story’s tone and its social commentary. By studying the era and
Maugham’s background, one can also get a clearer sense of how the story fits
into his larger body of work, which often features themes of social class and
the human condition.
2. Analysis: Breaking down
the Text and Understanding Its Structure and Components
·
Characters:
o The Narrator (the writer): A young man, possibly
in his 20s or 30s, who is invited to lunch by a woman of high society. He is
polite, reserved, and somewhat naive.
o The Woman: An older, more established
character who is at first introduced as a seemingly sophisticated, wealthy
woman. She exudes a sense of superiority, but her true nature, pretentious, manipulative,
and self-centred, is revealed by the end.
·
Plot Structure: The story is episodic, it follows the narrator’s
experience at a lunch, which begins as a seemingly pleasant encounter but
gradually becomes more uncomfortable and revealing. The shift from polite
conversation to the realisation of the woman’s true character provides the
story’s dramatic tension.
·
Irony:
One of the most prominent elements of the story is its use of irony.
The woman, who claims to be wealthy and sophisticated, ends up being the one
who is cheap and manipulative, while the young narrator, despite being a
struggling writer, is actually much more financially sensible than she is.
·
Tone:
The story has a satirical and ironic tone.
Maugham uses the absurdity of the luncheon (and the woman’s behaviour) to
criticise social pretensions and to reveal the difference between appearances
and reality.
·
Symbolism:
The luncheon itself can be seen as a symbol of social expectation
and class divides. It is supposed to represent sophistication,
but it instead reveals a stark contrast between the woman's self-image and her
actions.
·
Example of Analysis: The moment when the woman orders a lavish, expensive meal,
despite her financial situation, exposes her self-deception and desire to
impress. The narrator, on the other hand, orders modestly, revealing his self-awareness
and humility. This contrast reflects the theme of appearance
versus reality, which is central to the story.
3. Interpretation: Drawing
Conclusions Regarding Deeper Meaning or Themes
·
Social Pretension and Class Distinction: One of the primary themes of the story is social
class. The woman’s behaviour reflects the desire to appear
wealthier or more sophisticated than she actually is, which is often
an aspiration in a class-conscious society. Maugham critiques how people
sometimes try to project a false image of themselves to fit into certain social
circles.
·
Human Vanity and Deception: The woman’s over-the-top luncheon order is
symbolic of vanity: her desire to appear cultured and wealthy.
However, her inability to pay for the meal exposes her deceptiveness.
This serves as a commentary on human folly and the lengths
people will go to maintain appearances, even at their own expense.
·
Irony of Expectations: The narrator expects the luncheon to be an enjoyable, even indulgent
affair, but it turns into a moment of realisation and self-discovery
for him. He learns that, although he is struggling financially, he is more
practical and down-to-earth than the woman who, despite her pretensions, is
ultimately more shallow and impractical.
·
Example of Interpretation: The story can be interpreted as a critique
of societal values that prioritise outward appearances over personal
integrity or substance. Maugham might be commenting on how society often
rewards superficiality and punishes honesty or modesty. The woman, despite her
pretensions, lives in a state of constant financial discomfort, while the
narrator’s modesty leads to his eventual success.
4. Evaluation: Judging the
Text's Quality or Effectiveness
·
Literary Quality: Maugham’s use of irony is one of the story’s
strengths. The plot is simple, but the irony and sharp character contrasts
create a biting commentary on social class. The concise language
and satirical tone make the story both engaging and
thought-provoking.
·
Effectiveness of Theme: The story effectively critiques the societal obsession with
appearances and the pretence of wealth. The woman’s
foolish behaviour is exaggerated to the point of absurdity, which makes the
theme clear without being heavy-handed.
·
Characterization: The characters are well-drawn, especially the woman, who begins as a
sympathetic character but becomes increasingly ridiculous as her true nature is
revealed. The narrator, though less complex, serves as a foil to her,
representing modesty and practicality. Their contrast is central to the story’s
message.
·
Impact:
The story’s irony leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
It’s a short but memorable story that challenges readers to think about how
much we value appearances and what lies beneath the surface. The story also has
an element of universal relevance, everyone can relate to
moments of awkward social interaction or misjudging someone based on their
outward behaviour.
·
Example of Evaluation: “The
Luncheon” is a well-crafted short story that
delivers a sharp critique of social attitudes toward wealth and status. Its ironic
tone and well-executed character contrast make it
both entertaining and thought-provoking, fulfilling Maugham’s purpose of
mocking the pretensions of the wealthy while offering a deeper commentary on
the human condition.
Summary of Differences with
Examples from "The Luncheon"
|
Term |
What It Means |
Example from "The Luncheon" |
|
Study |
Understanding the author, context, and
background of the story. |
Exploring Maugham's background as a
writer and the social context of the early 20th century. |
|
Analysis |
Breaking down the elements of the text
like characters, themes, and plot structure. |
Analysing the irony of the woman ordering
an expensive meal despite her financial situation. |
|
Interpretation |
Drawing conclusions about the deeper
meaning of the story. |
Interpreting the story as a critique of
social pretension and the disconnect between appearance and reality. |
|
Evaluation |
Assessing the effectiveness of the story
in terms of quality and impact. |
Evaluating how Maugham’s use of irony and
character contrast successfully critiques societal values. |
By engaging with The
Luncheon in these four ways: study, analysis, interpretation,
and evaluation – we gain a richer understanding of the story’s themes,
its structure, and its effectiveness in delivering a social critique.
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