What passages, words, images or symbols indicate that Laura Sheridan is an adolescent experiencing the transition to becoming an adult? Discuss your choices.
Try to relate your discussion to something you've learned in Jeugdkunde or a psychology-related course.
Alternatively, finish Laura's sentence at the end of the story and explain why you have chosen to finish it this way.
Not exactly a trivia question:
How did Katherine Mansfield's own life reflect Virginia Woolf's fundamental claim that "a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction"?
35 comments:
Loïs Berghout
VENS3C
Laura had organized this garden party with a few of her siblings and because she had organized it, she felt that she was supposed to be business-like while pointing the men to the place where the marquee was supposed to go.
She wanted to show that she was just as good in organizing as her mother was, and wanted to show that she could throw a wonderful garden party.
Later on, when the new of the death of Mr. Scott arrives the house, Laura does not want to upset the Scott family by throwing a party while their loved one has passed away, however, this idea gets thrown out by Laura’s family members who think that it’s ridiculous to cancel a party because somebody from the village, somebody that they do not know, has died.
Laura agrees to not cancelling the party, however, she does feel bad about it.
Her compassion and thoughts show that she isn’t just a young girl following her family, but that she is an independent girl with her own thoughts and feelings.
This also shows when she’s goes to visit the Scott family in the village with a little basket. She is the only one of the children who is willing to go.
In the beginning of the story, Laura is shown as a happy girl who is excited for the party to happen. This shows that even though she’s young and still an adolescent, she is ready to be an adult. She is ready to be an adult in the big world. This is mainly shown when Laura hears the news of the death of Mr. Scott. She feels that it isn’t right to celebrate and have a party when a family in the village just heard the most devastating news.
She is persuaded by her family to not cancel the party but afterwards, she does go to the village to bring a basket to the Scott’s family.
At the house of the Scott family, she is respectful and calm, however, the fact that she is still young is seen when she sees Mr. Scott laying on a bed in the house which scares her and causes her to run out of the house.
“Isn’t life-“
Isn’t life precious?
I’ve chosen for precious because not everybody values life. We often take everything for granted and just do our thing but our lives shouldn’t be taken for granted. Life is precious and for some reason, we do not see this.
Lisa Aalmers VENS3C
When adolescents become adults, they start to really have a mind of their own. Laura feels it is wrong to throw the garden party after they heard their neighbour died in a horrible accident. After hearing the terrible news, Laura talks to Jose about how they can cancel the party. However, Jose doesn’t want to cancel the part at all and makes Laura feel like it is a ridiculous idea to cancel the party. This upsets Laura and she goes upstairs to her mother to talk about it. Yet, her mother seems to agree with Jose. Even though Laura felt it was all wrong, she also felt like she had to agree with her mother to throw the party. This shows that Laura is struggling with the issue of doing the right thing or obeying her mother.
Only until after the party was finished, the subject of their neighbour’s death came up again. After Laura’s mother suggests bringing a basked of leftovers to the neighbours, Laura doubts whether that is a good idea. ‘Again, how curious, she seemed to be different from them all.’ Despite her own opinion on the matter, she decides to obey her mother again.
Also, young adults develop a feeling of responsibility and care for other people’s well-being. Laura clearly shows her concern for her dead neighbour’s relatives because she wants to cancel the party as a sign of respect.
Laura is clearly split between acting like her parents and guests expect and how she thinks she should act when she hears a man is found dead. Developing own opinions and beliefs is one of the signs of a transitioning adolescence. Of course, she has a clear opinion on whether the party should go on, but when her mother decides she should not act so dramatic she accepts this. Also, when her mother insists she should bring the basket to the widow she does this even though she does not agree with it. This shows she is still an adolescent seeking for acceptance and acting on this. Another moment when this is clear is when Laura talked to the workmen and thinks she would rather be friend with those lads than the friends she has now. The friends she has because it is expected from her to be around. All of these moments show a transition between following the rules and developing an own opinion on things and this is a sign of a transitioning adolescent.
lisanne bakker vens3c
Laura Sheridan is a character that has grown up in what appears to be a higher, possibly middle class family. Accostumed to the privileges and comforts given to those in that class. She's, in a way, naive, but she appears to grow as a person within the story.
When an adolecent becomes an adult, they're able to convein and experience others emotions. Often thinking less about themselves and their pleasures, but also taking the feelings of others into account. Not only that, an adult tends to have a mind of their own.
Laura's transition from adolecent to adult is clearly visable when she hears of the death of a villager, Mr Scott. She feels as if she shouldnt be enjoying the joys and ease of a garden party, so she goes to he mother and sister to ask if they should cancle, because it is a polite thing to do. However as her sister Jose and mother both blatantly disagree, she agrees with a rectulance to continue the party.
Later after the party, the death of Mr Scott comes up again. Mother says that they should bring a basket to the family. A basket of left overs from the party. Laura thinks it's a bad idea and voices the opinion, however she does end up being the one that brings the basket down.
"Isn't life...."
"Isn't life unfair? We all live day by day only to be taken away by death. Though, it might just be fairer than death."
I chose to finish the quote like this, because while life is precious and we tend to forget. Life is also unfair, because everyone struggles with good and bad days. However, death is an end. Life is still blosoming and there is still the opportunity for change.
Babette Sutter
Babette Sutter
VENS3C
The slow change in Laura is very noticeable throughout the story. There are many occasions on which there are conflicts within herself between the girl and young woman that she both is.
For starters, she is determined to lead the preparations for the garden party, as if she wants to show her family that she is no longer a child. On the other hand, trying to act like her mother feels weird and unnatural, so she quickly drops the act.
When she hears of the death of one of her neighbours, Laura insists that they have to cancel the party out of respect for the mourning family. Her own family, however, thinks that’s a ridiculous idea. They obviously don’t care for their lower-class neighbours. The fact that Laura is capable of having her own thoughts and opinions proves that she is becoming an adult.
Lastly, Laura is the only member of her family who feels bad about handing out leftovers from their party to the widow and her children. Again, her family doesn’t see the problem, even though she is the only one willing to venture down there with the basket.
As for the quote, I choose:
“Isn’t life fleeting?”
Laura has lived a very sheltered life. Because of the accident, she suddenly realises that people can die at any age and moment, leaving – in this case – a bunch of children and a wife behind.
Bea Viergever DENS3A
Laura’s adolescence comes to light through her indecisive ways when organising the party. To the reader the organising of the event might come across as a test her mother put her up to in order to learn more about ‘society’s’ ways. Laura is impressed by the kindness of the workmen who are below her social rank. This impression of Laura indicates that this is a first encounter with delegating work. Although she is the woman in charge it are the men who eventually decide where the marque is placed and this indicates the innocence of the young girl she actually is, as she allows the marque to be placed in front of the ‘karakas trees’ which is a clear symbol for showing of their wealth as it comes across as a rarity. Laura’s indecisiveness and pleasing ways towards adults indicates that she values the opinions of those who have more life experience. This is a natural reaction to discovering where your own values lay when it comes to encountering new skills such as organising a party.
A very important symbol in the story is the hat that Laura’s mother makes her wear. Throughout the party Laura receives compliments about the hat and how it becomes her. However, when Laura first receives the hat her reaction is disdained due to the fact that her moral values are conflict due to a man’s death. Laura wears the hat without having seen it on herself throughout the party and it is mentioned towards the end of the story as she apologises for still having it on in the presence of the man’s widow. The hat, in a way, symbolises the lack of importance of materialistic wealth in contrast to devastating life events.
"Isn't life unfair? Mother does not feel any sympathy for these people, while she is suffering. We get to enjoy happiness, love and prosperity, while she lost the father of her children. Oh Laurie, you should have seen the man. His eyes were closed and we know that they will never open again. I feel like life is unfair Laurie, but most people do not realise how lucky they are."
I chose to end her sentence like this, because she shows great sympathy and shows that she is different from her family. She does not think nor care about the class that people come from, which I really like about her. That is why I decided to emphasize that side of her in her finishing sentence.
Yessica van der Veere, VENS3C, 0893804
Laura is a girl on the brink of adulthood, she is the perfect example of adolescence several times in the story. In the course about the psychology of the adolescent we were taught that children often mimic their parents but that changes throughout the stages of adolescence. In those stages the children learn to develop their own opinions, different from their parents, which might lead to clashes from time to time.
You can see Laura is still trying to find who she is, for example when she talks to the workmen:
“’Good morning,’ she said, copying her mother’s voice. But that sounded so fearfully affected that she was ashamed, and stammered like a little girl.” (The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield)
This quote shows that she doesn’t know if she is the person she thinks she is or if she is the person her mother tells her she is:
“‘I don't understand,’ said Laura, and she walked quickly out of the room into her own bedroom. There, quite by chance, the first thing she saw was this charming girl in the mirror, in her black hat trimmed with gold daisies, and a long black velvet ribbon. Never had she imagined she could look like that. Is mother right? she thought. And now she hoped her mother was right. Am I being extravagant? Perhaps it was extravagant.” (The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield)
This last quote shows that she is forming her own opinions and views on things different than her parents’ and siblings’ views:
“Again, how curious, she seemed to be different from them all.” (The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield)
For the unfinished quote:
“Isn’t life-?” (The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield)
“Isn’t life valuable?”
I decided to end the sentence with valuable because throughout the short story Laura sees different things that make her life and other peoples’ lives valuable and I think that was the point she was trying to get across in the end.
Zeynep Çabuk 0912821
VENS3C
For the unfinished quote:
“Isn’t life-“
Isn’t life unpredictable?
You think your living the happiest moments of your life but then something or someone ruins it. Someone is able to destroy your life by just one word or move. At that moment you consider your life over and can’t think of the possibility that a rough time like this will not last forever. Then, suddenly someone will cross your path and he or she will help you from drowning in your pessimistic thoughts. This particular person will change your life by just one word or move.
Isn’t it funny how these small things affect our lives immensely? That’s why I preferred to end the sentence with life being unpredictable. No one will ever know what life brings to you or what kind of issues will be thrown at you in life. The only thing you can do is learn how to deal with it and do not let lose yourself, whether it is your happiest or saddest part of your life. Always keep in mind that you’ll have to expect the unexpected.
Felicity Postma_0881014_ Vens3c
Laura is a very self-conscious girl, always aware of her surroundings, what her place is and how she feels about that. She wanted to be grown up and modern and shows this by not throwing tantrums or drama-scenes when something is asked of her that she doesn't feel absolutely comfortable with. For example, her mother telling her to bring the leftovers, she didn't overdramatize her feelings towards her mother's plan. Also, when she is somewhat forced to go see Mr. Scott's dead body, she doesn't complain, she doesn't run, she goes in and stays calm, again being aware of her own presence. Another example is the following: 'Laura put back the receiver, flung her arms over her h
and let them fall. "Huh," she sighed, and the moment after the sigh she sat up quickly.
She was still, listening. All the doors in the house seemed to be open. The house was
alive with soft, quick steps and running voices
kitchen regions swung open and shut with a muffled thud. And now there came a long,
chuckling absurd sound. It was the heavy piano being moved on its stiff castors. But the
air! If you stopped to notice, was the air a
chase, in at the tops of the windows, out at the doors. And there were two tiny spots of
sun, one on the inkpot, one on a silver photograph frame, playing too. Darling little spots.
Especially the one on the
could have kissed it. '
In this exapmle it shows how aware she is about herself, her appearence, her attitude and her surroundings.
Her final sentence:
Isn't life weary. A tear, a sight, a love that changes and then goodbye. Life is like a sad song that repeats itself over and over again.
Seda Ozdemir
VENS3C
When Laura Sheridan prefers the company of older men instead of the boys she spends time with, it seems that she is in doubt and clearly not in a certain mental state as to where she ‘belongs’, which to me is an indicator that she is experiencing the transition from an adolescent to an adult. Moreover, since her feelings and thoughts are not what is expected of her at her age this does not make any sense to her, yet. Furthermore, Laura finally has the opportunity to visit Mr Scott’s but only after her own family’s wishes have been pleased. Once there, she faces the reality of the world and how she is portrayed privileged is cruel compared to families like the Scotts. Thus, this reality seems to have overwhelmed her and caused her to run out of their house. In conclusion, "life is..?"-living in fact, right? As we grow up and older we are going to love and be loved, and we are going hurt and are going to be hurt. Whether we are alone or not, we somehow always manage to win our personal fights, and that, with all its ups and down, is living.
Bart Neven Vens3c
Well, in the first part of the story you can clearly see her insecurities. For example, right at the beginning when she met the four men: "Good morning," she said, copying her mother's voice. But that sounded so fearfully affected that she was ashamed, and stammered like a little girl, "Oh–er–have you come–is it about the marquee?" You can see that she still feels not confident in her own abilities to exert authority.
In the middle part, she is almost willing to throw the whole party away, because a man has died nearby. She feels like it is morally wrong to give a party when a man died not to far from here. You can see that she is developing a strong sense of justice, which is common with adolescent children.
In the end, she has a direct confrontation with death. She sees the young man who has died and when people are confronted with the aspect of death you mature a lot. It gives you a new insight of the meaning of life and what it represents. "No," sobbed Laura. "It was simply marvellous. But Laurie–" She stopped, she looked at her brother. "Isn't life," she stammered, "isn't life–" But what life was she couldn't explain. No matter. He quite understood. Here you can clearly see what kind of impact it can have on a person.
So I think there is a nice flow in the story of a young girl developing and learning what it means to be an adult.
Tamara Salem - VENS3C - 0920243
The story clearly shows that Laura is transforming from a girl into a woman. She struggles with her adolescent development. When she wants to throw a garden party, she feels guilty and wants to cancel the party because of the death of her neighbor. Her mother and sister eventually convince her to still throw the party, even though she morally doesn't agree. I think this personally is a postive characteristic of her mental development. It shows that she is a thoughtful girl who has great empathy.
Laura is a girl who is very self-conscious. We learned during the course of ´adolosenctiepsychologie' that this is a common feature for girl, and boys, during this period. I experienced this too once I went to middle school.
Dalina Mahmood VENS3C
During “Onderwijspsychologie” and “Adolescentie” course I have learned a lot about the transition from adolescent to adulthood. In the book from “Onderwijspsychologie” and “Adolescentie” Jean Piaget mentioned, that during the Cognitive growth, adolescent’s thinking becomes more abstract, also they develop their own identity. They know how to deal with their own emotions and of others (great concern for others). They are more aware of their behaviour and their own limitations. We can see this within the story. Laura shows concern about the Family Scott. She Shows abstract thinking when it comes to the meaning of life and death. She is aware of her behaviour towards the four workmen.
We know that Laura is torn between either grow up and be an adult or to keep acting like a child. We can see Laura grow within the story.
First: When Laura hears about the deadly accident of the Family Scott, she suggests to cancel her garden party out of respect. However, her mother and Jose find it absurd to call of the garden party. Therefore, Laura continues with the party.
Second: When her mother decides to send a basket of uneaten sandwiched to the family Scott. Laura agrees and take the basket, when she meets the family and sees the dead men. She realizes that all men are equal, and that class is not of importance. She understands the meaning of life and death when she sees the dead body.
Conclusion: I think Laura did eventually grow up. She understood that class doesn't matter, everyone is equal. However, despite all of that, most of the time she did what her mother told her to do, even if she disagreed with her mothers suggestions and attitude.
Cornelis van der Klooster VENS2B
"isn't life strange?"
The one moment you're feeling all happy about throwing a rad gardenparty with tons of lillies and so on. Only moments later to be ruined by a dead body on your doorstep. Stranger even that when you decide to pay your respects and blow off the party, your family shows a new side of them you're not particularly fond of. When coming over for a 'feel better soon' basket you are met with a scene of peace as life is complete for the individual on the table, yet his wife and 5 kids are left with absolutely nothing....and you still have that party to organize.
Laura Sheridan is a naive character in the short story "The garden party." She is adapted to the privileges associated with the upper class that she lives in. She is sympathetic towards others emotions and is concerned about what happens in the world around her. Her underling curiosity separates her from her family.
The death of Mr. Scott, shocks Laura. She feels that it would be rude of her family to proceed with their party when their neighbor just died. Her fast dismissal of Mr. Scott’s death shows the lack of maturity. Although she tries to think differently, she is a young girls and easily persuade by her family.
After the party she goes down to the Scott's for a visit. She ask her to bring them a basket of leftovers which she thinks the Scotts will see as an insult. Once Laura enters the poverty strict, she begins a transition from adolescence to adulthood.
She enters the house of the Scotts and sees the death body in the back room. Laure is envious of Mr. Scott for a brief moment because he escaped society's expectations.
Laura is very different from her family this is shown from the beginning till the end of the story. The death of Mr. Scott made her realize how her family looked at the people who were from the lower class. I think that Laura wanted to treat everyone equally and that the class system is not really necessary because we are all human. You can read in the story that she is trying to find herself and is not sure what she really wants and thinks because she is easily swayed by her family.
I feel that in a certain sense, as much can be told from the people Laura interacts with as from Laura herself. It becomes obvious early on in the story that Laura’s social circle is limited to her family and those who work for them. Equally clearly, she shows curiosity and interest towards the workmen, contrasting them with similar men she knows. This is how she internalizes external elements.
When message of Mr. Scott’s death arrives, we learn both of the social sphere below that of the Sheridans, and of how Laura knows relatively little about it. When she tries to stop the party, she is met with ridicule and eventually anger. Their social standards would not allow such a thing, and this is a learning moment for her.
Finally, she is tasked with visiting the proceedings. As soon as she arrives at Mr. Scott’s house, Laura becomes acutely aware of how people see her (although she relates it mostly to her clothes), and learns a great deal about the people she’s with. In other words, Laura learns to understand her own identity, and how it relates to the world around her, grounding her in her society. These are vital steps in the adolescent development. While the morals she learns may be questionable to us (I know I have questions), the developmental process is clear as day.
Bedra Mohamud / 0908880 / VENS3C
Throughout the story we witness a subtle shift in Laura’s behaviour and thinking process. She wanted to cancel the party out of respect for a grieving family, because a man who lived in a lower-class cottage in their neighbourhood had passed away. She was convinced to not cancel the party and go through with it as planned, but she did feel guilty about it. Laura knew that there was a moral line that could be – and had been – crossed. She felt empathy for the lower-class family, and this shows emotional growth.
Towards the end of the short story, she stood in the bedroom where the corpse had been laid out, and this itself had caused her to have an epiphany. When people see corpses at an early age, they tend to mature somewhat faster than the average youngster who has not. This mental development is apparent with Laura and can be seen with the unfinished and ambiguous conversation she had right at the end.
Yesse
VENS3C
To me the first time where she shows some change into becoming an adult is when she meets the workmen for the first time. She wanders to herself why she can't be friends with workmen instead of the boys she dances with. I find this a a start to defying the rules that she is taught and starting to think of her own.
Becoming an adult to me means finding your own truth and creating your own standards and morals, as well as you deciding what you want to do, instead of complying with the rules you are told to follow by your parents and various other adults.
This is why, according to psychology of adolescence, during puberty we start to rebel. We begin to question our given rules and try to seek our own. We look for boundaries and purposely break the old rules. we rebel, trying to find what makes us tick, what we find important and how we choose to handle and perceive things.
The one passage of Laura questioning her given rules (we do not associate with workmen and they cannot be our friends) symbolizes her first revelrous thought to me.
Marieke van Lith - DENS3A
The idea that Laura becomes shy and embarrassed to accompany the men to show them where to marquee shows she's just a young girl but wants to be seen as a grown up. She says that she loves to arrange things and thinks she can do it better than anyone yet is very conscious of holding the bread and butter. She copies her mother's voice as she speaks yet it sounds like a little girl.
Of course seeing the man has changed her completely. She's very nervous and doesn't really want to go there but she has to. She asks God for help and says a few times she only wishes to leave the basket but she is led into the bedroom to see the man. She hurries out side but the experience brings her to tears. She realizes it was beautiful and that she learned what life is. Yet she doesn't really know what life is...
Laura's transition to adulthood is rather clear throughout the enitre story. It is not only noticable through her conversations with others, but also in how she appears to be conflicted with what she does/says and feels.
As Laura seems so determined on preparing everything for the garden party, it appears she is adamant on showing her capabilities of leadership and decision-making. At first she copies the behaviour her mom shows whenever she is in charge, but as it feels unnatural to Laura, she stops copying and tries to find her own style. Then, when the news of the neighbour's death arrives, she feels very conflicted about having a party while a family is mourning. As her family is very much opposed to cancelling, she agrees to let the party be on, yet she doesn't feel good about this. This shows conflict between what is said and what is felt - a key in becoming an adult and developing your own personal stance and boundaries.
When she hears of the death of one of her neighbours, Laura insists that they have to cancel the party out of respect for the mourning family. Her own family, however, thinks that’s a ridiculous idea. They obviously don’t care for their lower-class neighbours. The fact that Laura is capable of having her own thoughts and opinions proves that she is becoming an adult.
As for the quote, I chose:
“Isn’t life dubious?”
This is because, in this story, Laura feels very dubious about many matters and is not entirely aware of what the bigger picture is yet. She is growing up, and doesn't always fully understand what is happening to her or around her.
JULIA KARREMAN DENS3a
The Garden Party depicts the transformation of an adolescent into a grown up.The hat, given by her mother, is a symbol for Laura’s transition. “Quite by chance” she catches a glimpse of her reflection and sees a “charming girl in the mirror”. Maybe not so much now but in the older days a hat also symbolized wealth and status. It was unthinkable to go outside and not wear a hat.
"Isn't life unfair?"
Because Laura is an adolescent she suddenly realizes the unfairness of life. She perceives life is full of inconsistencies and becomes aware of her inability to do something about that.
Laura’s developing stage of her adolescence can be linked to the eight stages of development according to Erikson. The fifth stage is about developing a sense of own personal identity, finding their place in society and for fill adult parts.
Claudia Crenshaw DENS3A
“Isn’t life wonderful?” I believe Laura would say this because it would be what was expected of her and what felt safe to say. However, I think that if pushed to really say what she felt, Laura would say “isn’t life confusing?” Laura is an adolescent girl on the verge of becoming a woman in the eyes of society. She has been entrusted with many of the details of a much-anticipated garden party. We see her discuss the placement of a marquee, the number of flowers ordered for the party, and the matter of sandwiches. We see Laura transform herself into a lovely lady by wearing her mother’s hat. She receives compliments from her family members for looking like a woman, but when she expresses her concern for having a party on the same day of a tragedy, she is not taken seriously. Finally, when she visits the family, she feels frightened. Furthermore, “Laura was almost envious of the look contentment on his face, as if garden parties, baskets, and all of life’s particularities were behind him.” Arranging the garden party was challenging in part to Laura, but she had the support of her family and past experiences to know what was expected of her. However, outside of these details of manner and etiquette, when confronted with life’s bigger problems, Laura loses her bearings completely. Life outside of the safety of her small world, confuses her, but she is not encouraged to discuss those feelings. Therefore, she would probably say “wonderful.”
Dagmar Dubois DENS3A
Constantly wondering how her mother would do something, Laura Sheridan shows character traits similar to that of an adolescent experiencing the transition to becoming an adult. When giving instructions on where to place the marquee she automatically tries to copy the tone of voice she thinks her mother would use. This is an example of an adolescent trying to mirror how an adult would handle a certain situation. She is also constantly looking for approval in her choices whereas when thinking to herself she believes “she always felt she could do it so much better than anybody else”. In addition, we can say the character is constantly looking for her own voice in how she would handle situations. By suggesting they call off the party she is stepping out of her society’s comfort zone but is automatically confronted with this idea being ridiculous as her family members disagree. This is a sign of internal struggle with wanting to be her own person while still wanting to fit in.
Despite the isolation from others, Laura attempts to make some type of connection with people who are beneath her class. This noticeable by the fact that Laura is talking to the workman she wishes she had as friends instead of silly boys she danced with. It is also interesting that Laura felt just like a work girl as the workmen are working. This is remarkable as it suggest that Laura is connecting with the workmen and she is disregarding the differences between classes
Noor Gudden DENS3A
Laura is clearly in a phase where different emotions follow up on eachother quickly, and she experiences these emotions in an intense way. This is a characteristic of the adolescent phase. Also, she lives very much in the moment and it is hard for her to put things into perspective. When she hears that the neighbor has died she wants to cancel the party straight away, but the grownups see this differently. They know these events are part of life and however painful they may be, life goes on. Laura is discovering her interests in men and easily falls for their charms, she is quite naïve. At the same time she behaves like a child with childish sobs. She is very sensitive and not a stable adult yet.
The preparations of the garden party, to show her parents and the world she is no longer a small child.
Laura wants to cancel the party over the death of one of her neighbours, her family doesn’t really care for their lower-class neighbours and therefore they think the party should continue. This difference in thinking shows that Laura is growing up as an adult, because she is capable of having her own opinion.
Laura feeling bad about giving the widow neighbour her family’s leftovers, show that she is capable of emphatic feeling which is a clear sign of growing up.
The garden Party depicts a portrait of a young female adolescent called Laura.
Many passages indicate her transition to becoming an independent adult. They all exemplify the characteristics of a young person in search her identity. The following sentences and passages taken from the story are depicting typical adolescent behaviour:
1. ‘She loved having to arrange things; she always felt she could do it so much better than anybody else’.
This sentence shows how youngsters tend to regard themselves as very special and as the center of the world.
2. "Good morning," she said, copying her mother's voice. This passage exemplifies how Laura is in search of her identity and how she is experimenting with copying manners of the people around them
3. ‘How very nice workmen were! And what a beautiful morning!’
This passage expresses the intensity with which adolescents experience, as if everything is new and utmost exhilarating
4. ‘It's all the fault, she decided, as the tall fellow drew something on the back of an envelope, something that was to be looped up or left to hang, of these absurd class distinctions. Well, for her part, [Page 63] she didn't feel them. Not a bit, not an atom’.
This passage shows that Laura is developing an opinion of her own, and that she is rebelling against the generation she was brought up by.
5. ‘"Huh," she sighed, and the moment after the sigh she sat up quickly. She was still, listening. All the doors in the house seemed to be open. The house was alive with soft, quick steps and running voices.’
These sentences depict the vulnerability towards the exterior world that youngsters can experience, as if literally ‘al doors are open’
6. ‘There, quite by chance, the first thing she saw was this charming girl in the mirror, in her black hat trimmed with gold daisies, and a long black velvet ribbon. Never had she imagined she could look like that. Is mother right? she thought’.
Another perfect example of how young people explore their looks and appearances in order to develop their own identity.
7. ‘Again, how curious, she seemed to be different from them all. To take scraps from their party. Would the poor woman really like that?’
Forming an opinion of one’s own can be very alienating for adolescents.
9. ‘No," sobbed Laura. "It was simply marvellous. But Laurie–" She stopped, she looked at her brother. "Isn't life," she stammered, "isn't life–" But what life was she couldn't explain’
In this passage Laura is confronted with death (probably for the first time) and acknowledges that death is part of all the marvels of life. Again a good example of how adolescents experience life very intensely
Laura is an adolescent struggling with and wondering about issues of identity and self-image and contrasting values.
A few examples:
1. "Good morning," she said, copying her mother's voice. But that sounded so fearfully affected that she was ashamed, and stammered like a little girl”
2. “Why couldn't she have workmen for her friends rather than the silly boys she danced with and who came to Sunday night supper? She would get on much better with men like these.”
3. “And now she hoped her mother was right. Am I being extravagant? Perhaps it was extravagant. Just for a moment she had another glimpse of that poor woman and those little children, and the body being carried into the house. But it all seemed blurred, unreal, like a picture in the newspaper. I'll remember it again after the party's over, she decided. And somehow that seemed quite the best. And the big hat with the velvet streamer - if only it was another hat! Were the people looking at her? They must be. It was a mistake to have come; she knew all along it was a mistake. Should she go back even now?”
All 3 quotes demonstrate typically teenage uncertainties in Laura's life; trying to discover her identity, worrying about opinions of others and insecurity wether or not she will be 'accepted' by others. The third quote demonstrates the constant contemplation and worrying about conflicting values.
During their psychosocial development, it is normal for adolescents to have feelings of doubt in the formation of a sense of personal identity, which means that Laura is quite the regular adolescent.
Ymke Went
(DENS3/4A)
There are a number of possible endings I thought of to finish Laura’s sentence “Isn’t life…”. An anachronistic, but very fitting, one would be “Isn’t life a rollercoaster. Laura meanders through life and her feelings and thoughts hurl through her mind and body. She loves the life she is leading, but likes the simplicity and kindness of the workmen. She has a great time preparing the party and at the same time feels bad for having a party when I neighbor has died. She reckons it is wise and good for her development to see every ‘class’ in society, but the is overwhelmed, uneasy and maybe even scared when going to the house of Mr(s). Scott.
Another ending could be “Isn’t life just a gift, to be taken away at any time or place.” Maybe Laura sees that there is just so much you can do until one’s number is up. While they were planning a party a man died, without any fault of his own and without a notice. She could have noticed then for the first time in her life that life itself is fleeding and one day she too will draw her last breath.
Katherine Mansfield grew up in a rich family in New Zealand. Later in life she also got the chance to live in London. It can be assumed, that both New Zealand and in London, she would have had her own room and therefore be able to commence and continue writing. A room of her own, just the requirement deemed necessary by Virginia Woolf.
2. Isn't life..... cruel?
When Laura walks towards the poor Scotts after the party, she feels very ashamed for wearing her best clothes in such a deprayed condition. This was a brutal awakening to her psyche, she wants to flee and return to her 'own kind'. She was stuck in a world of high class housing clicked back to reality upon discovering death.
Saliha Ballah
DENS3A
0860327
She leaves the comfort of her bubble to visit the neighbours, which have a different reality (they’re poor). The death of her neighbor started her thought process on life.
While Laura feels that it isn’t right to have a garden party while the neighbour is mourning her family goes on with it.
"Dead when they picked him up," said Godber's man with relish. "They were taking the body home as I come up here." And he said to the cook, "He's left a wife and five little ones."
"Jose, come here." Laura caught hold of her sister's sleeve and dragged her through the kitchen to the other side of the green baize door. There she paused and leaned against it. "Jose!" she said, horrified, "however are we going to stop everything?"
"Stop everything, Laura!" cried Jose in astonishment. "What do you mean?"
"Stop the garden-party, of course." Why did Jose pretend?
Here she decides that she needs to stop the garden party and asks Jose how they should do it. She is already convinced that the party can’t go on because it isn’t considerate. She forgets the fun she could have if the party goes on and acts as an adult should.
This is a clear-cut example of the transition from the mid-adolescence to the late-adolescence. In the first one the focus is on the ego. What do I like, I want this, what do I get out of it. In the latter stage teenagers become more conscientious and develop their own identity, become more adult.
Andrea Moreira Santos 0765744
Laura is a young lady, she comes from a wealthy background and adheres to the class in which her family lives. When we look beyond the Sheridan perfect family’s garden party it becomes clear that Laura struggles with her inner-self, however her transition to adulthood depends on whether she wants to broaden her perspective and take responsibility. It is evident that Laura struggles to change and to survive within her inner turmoil.
I found two passages that show Laura's development. These are as follows:
"I don't understand," said Laura, and she walked quickly out of the room into her own bedroom. There, quite by chance, the first thing she saw was this charming girl in the mirror, in her black hat trimmed with gold daisies, and a long black velvet ribbon. Never had she imagined she could look like that. Is mother right? she thought. And now she hoped her mother was right. Am I being extravagant? Perhaps it was extravagant. Just for a moment she had another glimpse of that poor woman and those little children, and the body being carried into the house. But it all seemed blurred, unreal, like a picture in the newspaper. I'll remember it again after the party's over, she decided. And somehow that seemed quite the best plan. . . ."
Firstly, Laura describes herself as a charming girl who is longing for her mother's approval. As we read further, a change of mind occurs, namely that Laura does not only think about herself but also about her poor neighbours. Evidently, Laura’s frequent mental changes is a characteristic of an adolescent brain.
"There lay a young man, fast asleep–sleeping so soundly, so deeply, that he was far, far away from them both. Oh, so remote, so peaceful. He was dreaming. Never wake him up again. His head was sunk in the pillow, his eyes were closed; they were blind under the closed eyelids. He was given up to his dream. What did garden-parties and baskets and lace frocks matter to him? He was far from all those things. He was wonderful, beautiful. While they were laughing and while the band was playing, this marvel had come to the lane. Happy . . . happy . . . All is well, said that sleeping face. This is just as it should be. I am content."
Secondly, her sincere sympathy for the family indicates to me how mature Laura is when she decides to pay a visit. This passage shows Laura's emotional response to the sudden death of her neighbour, namely that death indicates the end of choice as we know it.
Isn’t life complicated?
I think the sentence would have ended this way. When you are growing up you get to know about the good things and the bad things in life. Party’s like Laura’s party can be seen as a metaphor for enjoying life to the fullest. At the other hand, even when you are partying and enjoying life there’s always this presence of reality, some serious things like death. And I think it’s a part of growing up that you learn to comprehend this presence whilst in your younger years you are protected somehow from this presence of reality, isn’t it by the adults around you than it’s by the way your brain functions.
In Psychology class I learned that children of a particular age think in myths “mythical thinking”. This is the way the brain functions at that age and that’s why children tend to believe in Santa clause and other stories which aren’t true. I think this “mythical thinking” protects children from the harsh reality adults have to face every day. In this story it becomes clear to Laura that life has more to it than fun things. The hard reality became very real for her which is also a part of growing up.
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