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