Why does Laura want the garden party to be cancelled when she learns about the accident?

 Why does Laura want the garden party to be cancelled when she learns about the accident?

Laura is shocked when she learns about the accident. Her first instinct is to cancel the garden party, as she feels it would be too painful for the widow and her five children to hear the joyful music. She believes it would be insensitive to celebrate while their neighbors are suffering.

In the opening of The Garden Party, the narrator establishes social class through the descriptions of the Sheridan family and their home. The Sheridans are portrayed as wealthy and privileged, living in an elegant house surrounded by lush gardens. The language used to describe their lifestyle is lavish and full of refinement, which clearly signals their high social standing. The family members are also depicted as somewhat oblivious to the realities of life beyond their social circle, focusing on the details of their garden party preparations rather than being aware of the struggles of those from lower social classes.

The narrator contrasts the Sheridans' world with that of the working-class people, such as the laborers who work at their estate and the poor man who dies nearby. This stark contrast highlights the divide between the privileged and the underprivileged.

My views on it: The establishment of social class in the opening serves as an important commentary on the disparities in society. It sets the tone for the story’s exploration of class differences and the impact of privilege on one’s perception of the world. The Sheridans' wealth and detachment from the struggles of those less fortunate are indicative of a larger social issue where the privileged often remain unaware or indifferent to the suffering of the less fortunate. It is this divide that Laura, the protagonist, begins to confront as the story unfolds, leading to her personal growth and realization about the complexities of life and death. The class division, thus, is not only an important narrative device but also a critique of the social norms and values of the time.