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The Luncheon

NCERT Class 11 · English Based on NCERT Class 11 English textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter is a short story by William Somerset Maugham about a young, struggling writer in Paris who is flattered into treating an older, imposing woman to an expensive luncheon at Foyot's, a restaurant far beyond his means. The story explores themes of pride, pretence, and the consequences of not being able to say 'no,' as the woman repeatedly orders the most costly items while claiming she 'never eats anything for luncheon.' The one big idea a student must walk away with is that the story is a masterful example of irony and humour, where the narrator's polite facade hides his growing panic over the bill, and his ultimate revenge comes not from any action of his own, but from the woman's eventual obesity.
Key Concepts (12)
Devastating passion
An extremely strong, overwhelming, and destructive feeling of love or desire, often sudden and intense.
e.g. The narrator says the woman's age (forty) was not one that excites a 'sudden and devastating passion at first sight,' meaning he felt no immediate romantic attraction.
Caviare
Salted roe (eggs) of the sturgeon fish, considered a luxury and delicacy, often eaten as an appetizer.
e.g. The lady orders caviare even though she claims she 'never eat[s] more than one thing,' causing the narrator's heart to sink because he knows it is very expensive.
Complacency
A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements, often without awareness of potential trouble or defects.
e.g. The narrator says he can observe the result of the lady's weight gain 'with complacency,' meaning he feels a quiet, self-satisfied pleasure in her misfortune.
Vindictive
Having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge; spiteful.
e.g. The narrator claims he is not a 'vindictive man,' but he still feels a sense of revenge when he sees the lady has become very fat.
Mortifying
Causing great embarrassment, shame, or humiliation; extremely awkward.
e.g. The narrator fears it would be 'mortifying' to find himself ten francs short and have to borrow money from his guest to pay the bill.
Ingratiating
Intended to gain approval or favour; deliberately pleasant or flattering, often in a way that seems false or sycophantic.
e.g. The headwaiter comes up to them with an 'ingratiating smile on his false face' while carrying a basket of expensive peaches, trying to persuade them to buy more.
Imposing
Impressive in appearance or manner, often in a way that commands respect or attention; grand or formidable.
e.g. The narrator describes the lady as 'imposing rather than attractive,' meaning she had a commanding presence rather than being beautiful.
Effusive
Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner; gushing.
e.g. The narrator asks what the lady would like to drink, 'hospitable still, but not exactly effusive,' meaning he was polite but not overly enthusiastic.
Amicable
Characterized by friendliness and goodwill; peaceable.
e.g. The lady gives the narrator 'a bright and amicable flash of her white teeth' when she asks for Champagne, showing a friendly but manipulative demeanour.
Succulent
(Of food) tender, juicy, and tasty; full of flavour and moisture.
e.g. The asparagus are described as 'enormous, succulent, and appetizing,' making the narrator's mouth water even as he worries about the cost.
Voluptuous
Relating to or characterized by sensual pleasure, especially of food or physical enjoyment; luxurious.
e.g. The narrator watches the lady thrust the asparagus 'down her throat in large voluptuous mouthfuls,' emphasizing her greedy enjoyment of the expensive food.
Humorist
A person who is known for being amusing or witty, or who tells jokes and funny stories.
e.g. The lady calls the narrator a 'humorist' when he says he will eat nothing for dinner, not realizing he is being serious out of financial desperation.
How It Works
The Narrator's Financial Panic and Planning
  1. Step 1: The narrator calculates his budget — he has eighty francs to last the rest of the month and estimates a modest luncheon should cost no more than fifteen francs.
  2. Step 2: He decides to cut out coffee for the next two weeks to manage the expense.
  3. Step 3: When the lady orders expensive items (caviare, salmon, Champagne, asparagus, peaches), his heart sinks and he recalculates his finances.
  4. Step 4: He panics and devises a backup plan: if he cannot pay the bill, he will pretend his pocket has been picked and dramatically cry out.
  5. Step 5: He also considers leaving his watch as collateral and returning later to pay.
  6. Step 6: After paying the bill, he realizes he has only enough for a very small tip and no money left for the rest of the month.
💡 Students often miss that the narrator's panic is not just about the total cost, but about the cumulative effect of each additional order — he keeps hoping she will stop, but she never does.
The Lady's Strategy of Ordering
  1. Step 1: The lady repeatedly claims she 'never eat[s] anything for luncheon' and 'never eat[s] more than one thing.'
  2. Step 2: Despite this, she orders multiple expensive items one after another, each time framing it as an exception or a small indulgence.
  3. Step 3: She orders salmon first, then caviare, then Champagne, then giant asparagus, then ice-cream and coffee, and finally a peach.
  4. Step 4: She justifies each order by saying she is not hungry, or that she is eating only as an excuse for conversation.
  5. Step 5: She criticizes the narrator for eating a heavy mutton chop, claiming it is unhealthy, while she herself consumes rich, expensive food.
💡 The key irony is that she claims to eat very little, but her actions show she eats a full, lavish meal — students must note this contradiction for exam answers.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing the Narrator's Revenge with Active Malice
✗ Students often write that the narrator deliberately took revenge on the lady by making her fat or by planning to ruin her health.
→ The narrator explicitly states he is not a vindictive man, and his revenge is passive — he simply observes that 'the immortal gods' have made her weigh twenty-one stone. He did nothing to cause it.
✓ The narrator's revenge is ironic and unintentional; he feels complacent satisfaction because the lady, who ate so greedily at his expense, has now become extremely overweight as a natural consequence of her own habits.
⚠ Misinterpreting the Lady's Character as Merely Hungry
✗ Students often describe the lady as simply a hungry woman who was unaware of the narrator's financial situation.
→ The lady is not just hungry; she is manipulative and self-centred. She repeatedly orders expensive items despite claiming she eats little, and she never once asks about the narrator's budget or offers to pay. Her behaviour shows a lack of consideration and a sense of entitlement.
✓ The lady is a hypocritical and manipulative character who uses flattery and false modesty to indulge herself at the narrator's expense, all while pretending to be frugal and health-conscious.
⚠ Thinking the Narrator is a Humorist in a Positive Sense
✗ Students often write that the narrator is genuinely funny and witty, and the lady appreciates his humour.
→ The lady calls him a 'humorist' sarcastically or dismissively. She does not understand that his comment about eating nothing for dinner is a literal statement of his financial ruin, not a joke. The humour is for the reader, who sees the irony.
✓ The lady's remark 'You're quite a humorist!' is ironic because the narrator is not joking — he is genuinely unable to afford dinner. The humour lies in the gap between her perception and his reality.
⚠ Overlooking the Significance of the Setting (Foyot's)
✗ Students often ignore the mention of Foyot's restaurant or treat it as a minor detail.
→ Foyot's is a crucial detail because it is described as a restaurant 'at which the French senators eat' and is 'so far beyond my means that I had never even thought of going there.' This establishes the narrator's financial desperation from the start and heightens the irony of the situation.
✓ The choice of Foyot's restaurant is deliberate — it symbolizes the narrator's foolish pride and his inability to say no, as he agrees to dine at a place he can clearly not afford just to impress a woman.
Compare & Contrast
Nature of their false behaviour
The Narrator's Pretence
The Lady's Pretence
The narrator pretends to be generous and carefree while secretly panicking about money; the lady pretends to eat very little while actually ordering a lavish meal. Both are hypocritical, but the narrator's pretence stems from social awkwardness and pride, while the lady's pretence stems from selfishness and manipulation.
Literary effect
Irony in the Story
Humour in the Story
Irony is the gap between appearance and reality — e.g., the lady claims to eat one thing but orders many; the narrator pretends to be fine but is panicking. Humour arises from the narrator's exaggerated descriptions (e.g., 'the abandoned woman thrust them down her throat') and the absurdity of the situation. Irony creates the deeper meaning, while humour makes the story entertaining.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: This chapter typically appears in board exams with 1-2 short answer questions (2-3 marks each) focusing on irony and character, and 1 long answer question (5-6 marks) requiring a detailed analysis of the theme or the narrator's experience.
Most asked: Irony in the story — specific instances and their significance · Character analysis of the lady and the narrator · The theme of revenge and its ironic nature · The narrator's financial predicament and his reactions
Don't skip: Explain the instances of irony in 'The Luncheon' and how they contribute to the story's humour.; Describe the character of the lady and the narrator, highlighting their contrasting traits.; How does the narrator get his revenge? Is it intentional? Justify your answer.
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. The story is a first-person narrative about a young writer who is flattered into treating a woman to an expensive luncheon at Foyot's restaurant in Paris.
  2. The lady repeatedly claims she 'never eat[s] anything for luncheon' but orders caviare, salmon, Champagne, giant asparagus, ice-cream, coffee, and peaches.
  3. The narrator's heart sinks and panic seizes him as each expensive item is ordered because he has only eighty francs to last the rest of the month.
  4. The narrator orders a cheap mutton chop for himself while the lady eats luxuriously, criticizing him for eating 'heavy things.'
  5. The lady's hypocrisy is a central theme — she preaches moderation while indulging in excess.
  6. The narrator plans to pretend his pocket has been picked if he cannot pay the bill, showing his desperation.
  7. The headwaiter's 'ingratiating smile on his false face' highlights the commercial pressure to spend more.
  8. The narrator's revenge is passive and ironic: the lady later weighs twenty-one stone, a consequence of her own gluttony.
  9. The lady calls the narrator a 'humorist' when he says he will eat nothing for dinner, not realizing he is serious.
  10. The story is a masterclass in irony, where what characters say contrasts sharply with what they do.
  11. The narrator's inability to say 'no' to a woman is a key flaw that drives the plot.
  12. The story teaches the importance of being honest about one's financial limits rather than pretending to be generous.
  13. Maugham uses vivid sensory details (smell of melted butter, blush of peaches) to heighten the narrator's agony.
  14. The title 'The Luncheon' is ironic because the meal is anything but light or simple.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. What is the narrator's financial situation at the beginning of the story?

  • A. He is wealthy and can afford any restaurant
  • B. He is earning barely enough to keep body and soul together with eighty gold francs for the month ✓
  • C. He is moderately rich with a comfortable apartment
  • D. He is unemployed and relies on his book sales

Answer: B — The text explicitly states he had a tiny apartment in the Latin quarter and was earning barely enough money to keep the body and soul together, with eighty francs to last the month.

Q2. Which of the following best describes the irony in the woman's behaviour during the luncheon?

  • A. She claims not to eat much but orders expensive dishes like caviar and asparagus ✓
  • B. She speaks fondly of the narrator's work but criticizes his eating habits
  • C. She orders Champagne but pretends her doctor forbids it
  • D. She compliments the restaurant but asks for dishes not on the menu

Answer: A — Throughout the luncheon, the woman repeatedly insists 'I never eat more than one thing' while systematically ordering expensive items—caviar, salmon, asparagus, and ice-cream—directly contradicting her words with her actions.

Q3. What does the narrator's plan to fake a stolen wallet reveal about his character?

  • A. He is dishonest and a criminal by nature
  • B. He values social respectability and pride more than admitting financial hardship ✓
  • C. He believes the woman will pay the bill willingly
  • D. He intends to rob the restaurant himself

Answer: B — The narrator's willingness to stage an elaborate deception—claiming his pocket was picked or even leaving his watch—shows he prioritizes maintaining face and social status over admitting his poverty to the woman.

Q4. How does the woman's physical description contribute to the narrator's initial misjudgment of her?

  • A. Her youth and beauty make him want to impress her
  • B. Her imposing appearance and excessive white teeth give her an air of authority and respectability that masks her true manipulative nature ✓
  • C. Her elegant dress suggests she is from a wealthy family
  • D. Her resemblance to a famous actress makes him nervous

Answer: B — The text describes her as 'imposing rather than attractive' with 'more teeth, white and large and even, than were necessary,' creating an impression of confidence and propriety that conceals her calculating, exploitative character.

Q5. Which of the following is NOT a dish the woman orders during the luncheon?

  • A. Caviar and salmon
  • B. Asparagus and ice-cream
  • C. Mutton chop and white wine ✓
  • D. Coffee

Answer: C — The mutton chop is ordered by the narrator for himself, not the woman; she explicitly criticizes him for eating heavy meat, and she drinks Champagne (on her doctor's orders) and water, never white wine.

Q6. What is the significance of the twenty-year gap between the luncheon and the chance meeting at the theatre?

  • A. It shows the narrator has become wealthy and successful
  • B. It reveals that the narrator has only now realized he was deliberately deceived and manipulated by the woman ✓
  • C. It indicates the narrator has forgotten the luncheon entirely until she mentions it
  • D. It suggests the woman has become poor and regrets her behaviour

Answer: B — The narrative structure implies that after two decades, the narrator has gained enough perspective to recognize the luncheon as a calculated exploitation—the frame story shows his belated but complete understanding of her deception.

Q7. Read this statement: (I) The woman's modesty is genuine and she truly struggles with appetite. (II) The narrator's politeness prevents him from questioning her contradictory claims. Which is correct?

  • A. Only (I) is correct
  • B. Only (II) is correct ✓
  • C. Both (I) and (II) are correct
  • D. Neither (I) nor (II) is correct

Answer: B — Statement (I) is false—the woman's modesty is deliberately false; her escalating orders prove intentional deception. Statement (II) is correct—the narrator's politeness and youth make him unable to challenge her contradictions or refuse her demands.

Q8. What literary purpose does Maugham achieve by using detailed imagery of the food (salmon, asparagus, peaches)?

  • A. To make the reader hungry and interested in French cuisine
  • B. To emphasize the luxury and expense of each dish, heightening the reader's awareness of the narrator's mounting financial panic ✓
  • C. To show that the narrator enjoys eating despite his poverty
  • D. To contrast French and English food preferences

Answer: B — Maugham's sensory descriptions—'succulent and appetizing asparagus,' 'blush of an innocent girl' peaches—make each dish feel increasingly luxurious and expensive, creating irony as the narrator's panic grows with every order.

Q9. The phrase 'ingratiating smile on his false face' (referring to the headwaiter) serves to:

  • A. Show that the headwaiter is genuinely kind and helpful to customers
  • B. Reveal the theme that even service workers are part of a web of deception and false politeness that enables exploitation ✓
  • C. Indicate that the headwaiter dislikes serving the narrator
  • D. Suggest the headwaiter is stealing money from the restaurant

Answer: B — The oxymoron 'ingratiating' + 'false face' exposes how superficial charm and flattery—even from staff—mask commercial motives and reinforce the story's broader satire of social hypocrisy enabling deception.

Q10. Which statement best captures the effect of Maugham's narrative choice to have the narrator tell this story twenty years after it happened?

  • A. It allows the narrator to blame the woman entirely without acknowledging his own naivety
  • B. It creates dramatic irony because readers see the deception clearly while the younger narrator remained blind to it; the time gap shows hard-earned wisdom ✓
  • C. It proves the narrator has become cynical and bitter about all women
  • D. It suggests the narrator has been plotting revenge against the woman for two decades

Answer: B — The retrospective narration lets Maugham show the younger narrator's foolish politeness and blindness in contrast to the older narrator's clear-eyed recognition of manipulation, earning the story's ironic power and moral insight.

Flashcards

What does the woman claim about her eating habits at the start?

She claims she never eats more than one thing for luncheon and only does so as an excuse for conversation.

What is the irony of the woman's statements throughout the luncheon?

She repeatedly claims to eat nothing while ordering the most expensive dishes—caviar, salmon, asparagus, ice-cream—contradicting her words with her actions.

Why does the narrator agree to the expensive luncheon despite his poverty?

He is flattered by her attention, too young and inexperienced to refuse a woman, and foolishly believes a modest meal will cost only fifteen francs.

What literary device is used when the narrator describes the asparagus smell tickling Jehovah's nostrils?

This is a simile and allusion that heightens the irony by comparing the luxurious asparagus to sacred offerings while the narrator watches in financial distress.

How does the woman's physical appearance contribute to the narrator's initial misjudgment?

She appears imposing and confident with excessive white teeth, giving an impression of authority and respectability that masks her calculating, vindictive nature.

What does 'ingratiating' mean in the context of the headwaiter's smile?

It means the waiter smiles in an overly flattering, obsequious way designed to please and win favor, often with false sincerity.

Why is the twenty-year time gap significant to the story's meaning?

It shows that the narrator has finally realized twenty years later that he was deliberately manipulated and deceived by the woman's false modesty.

What does the narrator's panic about paying the bill reveal about his character?

His willingness to fake a pickpocketing or leave his watch shows he values pride and social face-saving over admitting financial hardship.

How does Maugham use food as a symbol in this story?

Food represents the woman's hidden greed and appetite disguised by lies; the escalating dishes reveal her true selfish nature beneath her charming facade.

What is the main theme of 'The Luncheon'?

The theme explores how deception and false modesty can mask true character, and how youth and inexperience make one vulnerable to exploitation.

Important Board Questions

How does the woman use the phrase 'I never eat more than one thing' to achieve her goal? (CBSE Class 11 — 2 marks) [2 marks]

Explain the contradiction between her claim and actual orders (caviar, salmon, asparagus). Show how this false modesty manipulates the narrator into agreeing to expensive dishes.

Analyze the character of the woman in 'The Luncheon.' What does her behaviour reveal about her true nature beneath her charming exterior? Support your answer with at least two examples from the text. (CBSE Class 11 — 5 marks) [5 marks]

Discuss her calculated deception (claims vs actions), her vindictive use of flattery, and her calculated exploitation of the narrator's politeness and youth. Use specific examples: caviar order, Champagne demand, asparagus ordering despite claiming no hunger. Show how irony reveals her greed.

'The Luncheon' is fundamentally a story about the exploitation of youth and inexperience through false appearances and social politeness. Discuss how Maugham uses narrative technique, characterization, and irony to convey this theme. What is the significance of the twenty-year time gap in the narrative structure? (CBSE Class 11 — 6 marks) [6 marks]

Analyze: (1) first-person narration from the older narrator's perspective revealing the younger self's blindness; (2) ironic contrast between woman's claims and actions throughout the luncheon; (3) food imagery as symbol of hidden greed; (4) the twenty-year gap as proof that manipulation was deliberate and the narrator has only now fully understood it. Connect theme to title—the 'luncheon' is not about food but about power, deception, and social hypocrisy.

Assertion-Reason Questions for The Luncheon

Q1. Assertion (A):

The woman in 'The Luncheon' claims throughout the meal that she never eats anything for luncheon.

Reason (R):

Despite her claims, she orders and consumes caviar, salmon, asparagus, ice-cream, and a peach, demonstrating a fundamental contradiction between her words and actions.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true. The reason explains why the assertion is significant and ironic—it reveals the woman's dishonesty or self-deception. This is the core irony of the story that exposes her character.

Q2. Assertion (A):

The narrator accepts the woman's luncheon invitation despite his serious financial constraints.

Reason (R):

He decides to accept because he is a successful author who can afford expensive restaurants like Foyot's.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true—he does accept despite having only eighty francs to last the month. However, the reason is false. He accepts because he is 'flattered and too young to have learned to say no to a woman,' not because he is wealthy. The text explicitly states he was earning barely enough to survive.

Q3. Assertion (A):

Maugham uses the luncheon episode to reveal the hypocrisy of social conventions regarding appetite and honesty.

Reason (R):

The woman criticizes the narrator's eating habits while secretly consuming expensive food, and she maintains false claims about her dietary principles throughout the meal.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true, and the reason directly explains the assertion. The woman's behavior—claiming asceticism while being gluttonous, criticizing others while indulging herself—exemplifies the hypocrisy of maintaining false social appearances. This is Maugham's satirical purpose.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for The Luncheon

Case Study:

Ravi, a young freelance writer in Mumbai earning ₹2,000 monthly, receives a message from an acclaimed literature professor he admires, Dr. Sharma. She has read his short story and invites him for lunch at a premium five-star restaurant to discuss his literary potential. Ravi has ₹500 in his account and can cut expenses for the next month if he limits his spending to ₹300. He immediately accepts the invitation, feeling honored and too inexperienced to refuse. When they arrive at the restaurant, the menu shows a minimum cost of ₹800 per person for the main course alone. Dr. Sharma insists she 'never eats heavy meals' and will only have 'a simple appetizer,' but then orders expensive dishes one after another while criticizing Ravi's modest choices.

Q1. Ravi's acceptance of the lunch invitation despite his financial situation is most similar to which aspect of the narrator's character in 'The Luncheon'?

  • A. His dishonesty and willingness to deceive
  • B. His youth, inexperience, and inability to refuse a respected figure ✓
  • C. His love of fine dining and French cuisine
  • D. His desire to gain financial benefits from the meeting

Answer: B

Q2. Dr. Sharma's behavior of claiming she 'never eats heavy meals' while ordering expensive dishes represents:

  • A. A genuine change in her appetite during the meal
  • B. The same hypocrisy and contradiction shown by the woman in 'The Luncheon' ✓
  • C. A sincere attempt to help Ravi save money
  • D. A deliberate test of Ravi's honesty and character

Answer: B

Q3. What would be the most likely consequence of this situation for Ravi?

  • A. He would gain a valuable mentor and successful literary career
  • B. He would learn to be more assertive in refusing social invitations
  • C. He would experience financial hardship similar to the narrator's anxiety in the story ✓
  • D. He would never trust professional relationships again

Answer: C

Q4. The irony in this situation is that Dr. Sharma, despite her claims about restraint, is:

  • A. Unaware of Ravi's severe financial limitations
  • B. Deliberately trying to embarrass Ravi in front of the restaurant staff
  • C. Unconsciously revealing her own lack of self-awareness about her eating and her hypocrisy ✓
  • D. Testing whether Ravi can afford a professional relationship with her

Answer: C

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