NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English (Woven Words) Short Stories 8 The Luncheon

Class : 11th
Subject : English
Chapter : 8
Chapter Name : The Luncheon

Q1 Although the author was not a vindictive man he was very happy to see the twenty-one
stone lady who had impoverished him twenty years ago, and says he had finally had his
revenge. What makes him says this?

Answer. The statement that the author provided is a result of the earlier meeting of the author
and that lady. It was the time when the author was not well off and neither did he have the
sense to say no to that women. That time he had to part with all his money with the whole
month ahead of him. This happened because the lady kept on ordering the most expensive
items on the menu one after the another. Every time he had to say no for ordering for himself
because that would double up the cost. The lady ordered salmon, asparagus, caviare etc and
the author's heart sank with each order she placed. The author being a vindictive man did not
say a word but now after 20 years, he remembered the embarrassment while the lady is now
only twenty-one stone.

Page : 104 , Block Name : Understanding the text

Q2 There are quite a few places where the author uses the expressions ‘my heart sank’, ‘panic
seized’ etc. What was the reason for this?

Answer. The use of expressions like 'my heart sank' and 'panic seized' is used to show the
author's inability to pay for the expensive items that the lady kept ordering. Through the entire
story, these expressions have been used to establish the state of mind that the author was
going through. It also deals with the humour element as the author was unable to refuse to the
lady and cost him the entire money that he had.

Page : 104 , Block Name : Understanding the text

Q3 Locate instances of irony in the story.

Answer. The story is full of an ironic element that is related to the difference between the
statements and the actions of the young lady. The statement of the lady before ordering each
expensive item that she did not like anything for the luncheon except…. And then this expect
was the most luxurious item on the menu card that included salmon, asparagus, caviare being
the major elements. Each time the author's heart skipped a beat when the young lady ordered
something after saying that she would not like to have something. Every time he had to refuse
for the order for himself for that he clearly could not afford double the cost.

Page : 104 , Block Name : Understanding the text

Q1 People with foibles are often not conscious of them.

Answer. Foibles are the minor weaknesses or the eccentricity in the individual's characters. This
is true that the people with foibles are themselves unaware of the same as in the individual
perspective they are perfect. It the people in the surroundings that observe the difference in the
behaviour while the person himself might be acting completely normal.

Page : 104 , Block Name : Talking about the text

Q2 The author’s attempts at keeping up his pretence of friendliness while he was mentally
preoccupied with the expense of the Luncheon.

Answer. It was clearly observed in the entire story that how by every new order author's heart
sank but still he maintained a friendly behaviour. He established the fact that he was a true
gentleman as he did not even once have an objection on the repetitive expensive orders by the
lady.

Page : 104 , Block Name : Talking about the text

Q1 The author is a humorist.

a. How does the story reflect his sense of humour?
b. What makes his lady friend remark—‘you are quite a humorist’?
c. Give instances of the author’s ability to laugh at himself.

Answer.
a. The entire chapter is an amalgamation of a series of humorous incidents that primarily
revolve around the expensive items that were ordered by the lady despite stating in every line
that she did not eat anything much on a luncheon. Thus the author uses the shield of humour to
guard himself against the attacks made by one order after the other.

b. This remark was made by the lady friend after she gave at the hor to the idea to use the
same comment- I don't have anything much on a luncheon except-. The author mockingly
replied that if he to do so, that would result in him skipping dinner. This was when the lady made
the comment that - you are quite a humorist as she understood the hidden fact behind him
saying that.

c. Author's ability to laugh at himself is quite remarkable as that is seen from the starting itself.
He's excited by the fact of visiting such an expensive place for lunch that too along with a
woman. He also mocks at himself when the lady made repetitive orders that were way over his
ability to spend as all that was not controllable.

Page : 104 , Block Name : Appreciation

Q2 How does the first-person narrative help in heightening the literary effects of the story?

Answer. The use of first-person narrative helps in heightening the literary effects as the authority
has the direct over the elements of humour and irony that can be used in the best form when
applied on one's own self.

Page : 104 , Block Name : Appreciation