1. In The Garden Party, it seems as if the story is signifying Laura transforming from a young, innocent girl into a mature lady. I think that Mansfield displays Laura as an innocent young girl who has not yet really been able to think for herself, and instead just has followed what her mom has said. The main meaning I see in the story is Laura's sense of innocence in the beginning.
2. Throughout the short story, Mansfield displays Laura's innocence, first with the workmen, and then with the man's death. The author uses metaphors in parts of the story to show that Laura and her family are above the other people such as when she describes Jose as a "butterfly" and also Mrs. Sheridan's voice as "float[ing]." Both hint towards those characters being above the others.
I didn't catch the social class "clash" in the first question, but kind of covered that in the second question. Foster wrote a lot more in reply to the second question and very much emphasized the use of "flight" throughout the text. He also explains Laura's loss of innocence more in depth.
The essay adds significantly to my appreciation of the story The Garden Party, as it further explains and brings out important details that I did not see or realize the first time.
2. Throughout the short story, Mansfield displays Laura's innocence, first with the workmen, and then with the man's death. The author uses metaphors in parts of the story to show that Laura and her family are above the other people such as when she describes Jose as a "butterfly" and also Mrs. Sheridan's voice as "float[ing]." Both hint towards those characters being above the others.
I didn't catch the social class "clash" in the first question, but kind of covered that in the second question. Foster wrote a lot more in reply to the second question and very much emphasized the use of "flight" throughout the text. He also explains Laura's loss of innocence more in depth.
The essay adds significantly to my appreciation of the story The Garden Party, as it further explains and brings out important details that I did not see or realize the first time.