CBSE Class 11 English: The Luncheon NCERT Solutions

Solution: The author's statement about having his 'revenge' stems from a place of humour, not malice. Twenty years prior, he had been financially embarrassed by a lady who suggested a luncheon at the very expensive Foyot restaurant. Despite his limited funds, he couldn't refuse her suggestion, leading to a meal where she ordered extravagantly (salmon, caviare, champagne, asparagus) while he could barely afford anything. This left him penniless for the rest of the month. Upon meeting her again, now weighing 'twenty one stone,' the author felt a sense of ironic satisfaction. His 'revenge' wasn't about causing her harm, but rather about the humorous observation that the once imposing lady had become so large that the memory of his past embarrassment seemed less significant. The sheer physical transformation provided him with a comical perspective on their previous encounter, allowing him to feel he had, in a way, 'evened the score' through this amusing realization.

Solution: The author uses expressions like 'my heart sank' and 'panic seized' to vividly convey his growing anxiety and financial distress during the luncheon.

'My heart sank' is used when the lady orders caviare. This signifies his immediate realization that such an expensive delicacy was far beyond his budget, causing a sinking feeling of dread about the escalating cost of the meal.

'Panic seized' is employed when the lady orders asparagus. This indicates a more intense level of fear and worry. He anticipates that asparagus, being a seasonal and often costly vegetable, might push the total bill beyond his financial capacity, leading to a state of near panic as he contemplates how he will pay.

These phrases effectively communicate the author's internal turmoil and the humorous yet stressful situation he finds himself in, highlighting the contrast between his polite outward behaviour and his inner financial panic.

Solution: The story "The Luncheon" is rich with irony, which is used to create humour and highlight the contrast between appearance and reality.

1. Verbal Irony: The most prominent instance is when the lady states, "I never eat anything for luncheon." This is ironic because she proceeds to order an extensive and expensive meal, including salmon, caviare, champagne, and asparagus, directly contradicting her initial statement.
2. Situational Irony: The author finds himself in an ironic situation from the start. He agrees to a luncheon at Foyot, an extremely expensive restaurant, despite his limited funds. His hope of managing the cost is immediately challenged by the high prices on the menu, creating an ironic predicament.
3. Author's Polite Excuses: The author's polite refusals of certain items, such as champagne, citing his doctor's orders, can be seen as ironically masking his true reason – his inability to afford it. This is a subtle form of situational irony where his polite social behaviour hides his financial struggle.
4. The 'Revenge': The author's concluding remark about having his 'revenge' is also ironic. His revenge is not an act of aggression but a humorous observation about the lady's significant weight gain over twenty years, which ironically diminishes the intimidating effect she once had on him.

These instances of irony contribute significantly to the story's humour and its commentary on social pretences and financial realities.

Solution: The story "The Luncheon" is a testament to the author's skill as a humorist, evident in several ways:

1. Reflection of Humour in the Story: The author's sense of humour permeates the narrative through his witty observations and the comical situations he describes. The initial suggestion of a luncheon at Foyot, an establishment far beyond his means at the time, sets a humorous tone. The lady's extravagant ordering, contrasted with her claim of eating very little, creates comedic irony. The author's internal monologue, filled with anxiety about the bill while maintaining a polite facade, is also a source of humour for the reader. His description of the lady's transformation over twenty years adds a final, humorous twist.
2. Lady's Remark: The lady's remark, "You are quite a humorist," likely arises from the author's witty and perhaps slightly absurd responses or his ability to navigate the awkward situation with a semblance of grace, even while internally panicking. For instance, his final comment about eating nothing for the night, in response to her advice, could be interpreted by her as a humorous deflection or a witty observation on dieting.
3. Laughing at Himself: The author demonstrates his ability to laugh at himself by openly recounting his own embarrassment and financial predicament. He doesn't shy away from describing his 'heart sinking' or the 'panic' he felt. By detailing his internal struggle and his inability to afford the meal, he invites the reader to share in the humour of his situation. His retrospective 'revenge' – finding amusement in the lady's weight gain – is also a form of self-directed humour, showing he can look back at his past discomfort with a light heart.