Page 53
The information presented on this page is valuable and interesting as the author manages to share the opinions of several people about the same story. Modern short stories contain a number of topics and lessons for consideration, and Katherine Mansfield’s “The Garden-Party” is not an exception. Nownes underlines that the reader can experience the main character’s experiences by means of a properly developed narration (qtd. in Atkinson 53). Fulbrook defines the same work as “radically inconclusive,” and Kobler deals with the necessity to understand the meaning of life (qtd. in Atkinson 53). All these ideas help create a general understanding of the short story that will be further analyzed in the article.
Page 54
Each page of the article introduces a unique combination of provocative facts and conclusions. For example, Atkinson divides Mansfield’s story into a reversal ritual when the party is organized in the garden and a status elevation that happens as a result of Laura’s transformation (54). It is not always easy for a person to identify and comprehend the moment when the main change occurs. Thus, Atkinson finds it logical to focus on liminal states, or transformations, when the character moves from one state to another and deals with realms (54). Instead of following the instructions, Laura investigates the entire society and clarifies her role and possible contributions to the traditional order of things.
Page 55
Although the chosen page concentrates on retelling the scene of the marquee montage, one of its valuable parts is about the essence of liminal concepts in the story. Not many readers could understand the meaning of limen and its possible relation to Mansfield’s work. Therefore, Atkinson informs that limen means “threshold” or something that is between something (55). That is why it is correct to mention that “The Garden-Party” is a story of transformations that happen in people in a certain period of time. In this case, changes occur in the garden where the party is arranged and in the main character when Laura communicates with the working staff.
Page 56
One of the most interesting themes discussed on this page is people’s understanding and recognition of communitas. Atkinson is clear in his analysis of the realms where Laura feels her belonging to a certain group of people (56). The author states that the aesthetic realm is the one where transformations may be recognized and accepted. Laura is the only one who communicates with the workmen and knows their opinions (Atkinson 56). Thus, the characters accept the death of a neighbor differently, depending on their knowledge and acceptance of communitas. The same examples can be observed in everyday life when people distribute their feelings, attitudes, and resources as per their own needs within their communities, neglecting the global good and well-being.
Page 59
While reading the article, it is necessary to learn the importance of transformations and their impact on human life. Atkinson again offers the aesthetic realm to transform death into sleep (59). Despite the expected emotion of fear and sorrow, Laura is happy about the dead neighbor because she is able to neutralize the loss-related pain and accept it as a moment when satisfaction is achieved. It was no longer a corpse but something “wonderful, beautiful… far from all those things” (qtd. Atkinson 59). The transformation is complete, and its initial goal is clear – the possibility to neutralize all fears and be happy.
Work Cited
Atkinson, William. “Mrs. Sheridan’s Masterstroke: Liminality in Katherine Mansfield’s “The Garden-Party”.” English Studies, vol. 87, no. 1, 2006, pp. 53-61.