The Garden Party - a Short Story
Patricia Villalba
Mr. Moreno
AP Lit/Comp, Period 3
10 June 2012
The Garden Party
The wonderful short story “The Garden Party” found in Chapter 27 of the book How to Read Literature like a Professor shows the maturing of a young woman. The main character, a vibrant girl named Laura, takes on big responsibilities and sees how hard the world can really be. She goes through a series of test that introduced her to growing up, such as planning a garden party and helping out her neighbors during a hard time. This great story helps one know what it looks like when a situation comes our way that makes us grow up, not in size but in maturity. One of the greatest impacts in life is going through an experience that is so big or impossible to you and being able to get through it to find the deeper meaning.
The young girl was given a huge responsibility when her mother said, “It’s no use asking me. I’m determined to leave everything to you… treat me as an honored guest.” Laura had to plan the garden party; deal with the florist, bakery, and the men who put up the marquee. Wanting to prove how independent she could be Laura not only had to conquer her fears, she had to act tough and make the best garden party to prove to her mother she was capable of it. She wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps and be as professional as she could. When the men came to put up the marquee she had a very hard time trying to act older with the workers and trying to show them that she was the one with all the power. The way she acts proves that she was trying very hard to not disappoint anyone, making it seem like she was in control of everything at all times.
The second example really finished out the transformation it opened her mind to a deeper understanding. It all started the day of the party when a man down the block had passed away. When Laura heard of his passing she wanted to cancel the celebration, but due to a talk with her mother, Laura realized that she should just go on
Mr. Moreno
AP Lit/Comp, Period 3
10 June 2012
The Garden Party
The wonderful short story “The Garden Party” found in Chapter 27 of the book How to Read Literature like a Professor shows the maturing of a young woman. The main character, a vibrant girl named Laura, takes on big responsibilities and sees how hard the world can really be. She goes through a series of test that introduced her to growing up, such as planning a garden party and helping out her neighbors during a hard time. This great story helps one know what it looks like when a situation comes our way that makes us grow up, not in size but in maturity. One of the greatest impacts in life is going through an experience that is so big or impossible to you and being able to get through it to find the deeper meaning.
The young girl was given a huge responsibility when her mother said, “It’s no use asking me. I’m determined to leave everything to you… treat me as an honored guest.” Laura had to plan the garden party; deal with the florist, bakery, and the men who put up the marquee. Wanting to prove how independent she could be Laura not only had to conquer her fears, she had to act tough and make the best garden party to prove to her mother she was capable of it. She wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps and be as professional as she could. When the men came to put up the marquee she had a very hard time trying to act older with the workers and trying to show them that she was the one with all the power. The way she acts proves that she was trying very hard to not disappoint anyone, making it seem like she was in control of everything at all times.
The second example really finished out the transformation it opened her mind to a deeper understanding. It all started the day of the party when a man down the block had passed away. When Laura heard of his passing she wanted to cancel the celebration, but due to a talk with her mother, Laura realized that she should just go on