The Garden Party
The protagonist, Laura, is born into a wealthy family. Knowing little of the outside world, she is innocent, lively and idealistic. The party is her first time to play an adult role. On a fine summer day, Laura is busy preparing for a garden tea party and in a cheerful mood. Encountering the workmen in the garden, she is acutely aware of the difference and distance between herself and them. So at first she tries to be different and very noble, and to speak to the workers in an artificial voice that she imitates her mother's. As their conversation continues, the good-natured woman begins to take a liking to the workers, thinking to herself, "What lovely people."
This is just the beginning of the story. It is a visit to the impoverished family that really touches Laura's heart. When the party is over, Laura's father mentions the news of the worker's death again. Mrs. Sheridan tries to appear friendly and sympathetic to the unhappy family. In an attempt to appease Laura and show her friendliness, she asks Laura to deliver the sandwiches, cakes and puddings left over from the party to the poor family, which she intends to throw away. Sharp contrasts are displayed in front of Laura, such as the broad road and dark alley, happiness and misfortune, rich and poor. The difference between the two classes baffles Laura. Lara is extremely confused by the difference between the dead classes.
"Forgive my hat," she says to the dead man at his death-bed. What she really means is to forgive class that makes her forget his and his family. What is life? Laura has begun to think about the real world.
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