The Garden Party
Throughout the novel, How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster, the author elucidates that several interpretations can be drawn regarding the meaning of a story. For example, in chapter 27 entitled “The Test Case”, Foster explores this very claim by providing the interpretations linked to “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield. In his novel he states that these interpretations range from the disparities between social classes, to a representation of hell and the journey Persephone, the captive of Hades, goes on. Foster’s novel presents the idea that the quest of characters in a story can represent the journey to hell because of the conflict that arises, this explains how the use of allusions allows readers to comprehend
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The curiosity that Laura develops regarding those who are less fortunate than her, leads her to visit the home of the worker that passed away. While the previous aspects to the story directly link to social class division, the latter and her crossing to encounter death, is parallel to the journey of Persephone to the underworld. Foster explains that “Laura has gone to hell… not only that but she hasn’t gone as Laura Sheridan but as Persephone” (Foster 273), and this fact lies in the very basics of the adventure she goes on. Because of her mother’s affiliation with childbearing and flowers, two elements that directly link to Demeter, Mrs. Sheridan is in fact Demeter. Not only this, but when Laura begins her descent to the underworld, she encounters a dog by her gate that represents Cerberus and his protection of the hell, the destination she travels to in order to grieve the loss of the dead caterer. Moreover, the broad road which Laura crosses to reach the home represents the River of Styx. The Sheridans home is a heaven because of its economic status; therefore, the lower classes would be viewed negatively and even as the opposite, implying that it is hell. Because the River of Styx is the transition between the two, the road that links the lower and upper classes, does the same. Furthermore, the hat given to Laura by her mother, with the golden daisies on it, directly links to Aeneas's Golden Bough, or admission ticket to the underworld, as it is what propels her journey to the workers home. The woman that Laura encounters at the home is Sibyl, because of her familiarity with the dark and dangerous lower class underworld. While the author uses Laura’s family to imitate heaven, he discovery of suffering, leads her to question this heavenly atmosphere. Because of the questioning of her lifestyle, Laura unearths
The curiosity that Laura develops regarding those who are less fortunate than her, leads her to visit the home of the worker that passed away. While the previous aspects to the story directly link to social class division, the latter and her crossing to encounter death, is parallel to the journey of Persephone to the underworld. Foster explains that “Laura has gone to hell… not only that but she hasn’t gone as Laura Sheridan but as Persephone” (Foster 273), and this fact lies in the very basics of the adventure she goes on. Because of her mother’s affiliation with childbearing and flowers, two elements that directly link to Demeter, Mrs. Sheridan is in fact Demeter. Not only this, but when Laura begins her descent to the underworld, she encounters a dog by her gate that represents Cerberus and his protection of the hell, the destination she travels to in order to grieve the loss of the dead caterer. Moreover, the broad road which Laura crosses to reach the home represents the River of Styx. The Sheridans home is a heaven because of its economic status; therefore, the lower classes would be viewed negatively and even as the opposite, implying that it is hell. Because the River of Styx is the transition between the two, the road that links the lower and upper classes, does the same. Furthermore, the hat given to Laura by her mother, with the golden daisies on it, directly links to Aeneas's Golden Bough, or admission ticket to the underworld, as it is what propels her journey to the workers home. The woman that Laura encounters at the home is Sibyl, because of her familiarity with the dark and dangerous lower class underworld. While the author uses Laura’s family to imitate heaven, he discovery of suffering, leads her to question this heavenly atmosphere. Because of the questioning of her lifestyle, Laura unearths