The Garden Party (1922) is one of Katherine Mansfield's most famous short stories. Note: Due to the short length of this story, it's impossible not to give away the plot; consider yourself warned.
The Sheridans, a wealthy New Zealand family, are hosting a garden party. During their preparations, they learn that a working-class neighbor has died that day. In wanting to call the party off, Laura Sheridan shows her sympathy for the neighbor's family. Her sisters and her mother dismiss Laura's idea and the party begins as the guests arrive. Afterwards, Laura brings a basket of leftovers to the dead man's home and sees his body. Laura ends the story with an incomplete sentence: "Isn't life..."
To write a story of 30 pages that captures many emotions, it requires genius -- that's what Katherine Mansfield had. Laura is the only one in her family who shows sympathy for the poor neighbors; this statement about class division is profound. Laura, up until the end of the story, has confronted neither death nor poverty; all she knows is luxury, good fortune, and garden parties. I am impressed with the number of themes Mansfield tackles in such a small number of pages.
I admire Mansfield's laconic writing style. The details of the story's setting are magnificently vivid. It is the perfect day for the garden party; the sunlight shining on the garden, the fragrance and abundance of the lilies, and the just right weather. Mansfield describes the scene perfectly in a few simple words. Mansfield never actually describes her characters. We sense their personalities through their dialogue.
Overall, this story hits many high notes in a few pages -- five out of five stars.
