How Did the Lady Guest Exploit the Writer at Foyot’s in “The Luncheon”? 

Answer

 How did the lady guest exploit the writer at Foyot’s in “The Luncheon”? 

Or Describe the trials and tribulations the writer faced during the luncheon.

“The Luncheon” is a short story by W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965). In the story, the narrator recalls an incident where he had lunch with a lady who exploits his generosity. The lady guest takes advantage of the writer by ordering the most expensive items on the menu, including several costly dishes and a bottle of wine.

Choice of Place: The lady guest suggests dining at Foyot’s, an upscale and expensive restaurant. It indicates a plotted choice for a luxurious setting. The lady knew choosing an expensive restaurant would be costly for the narrator. 

Selection of Expensive Dishes: The lady intentionally chooses one of the most expensive items on the menu, demonstrating a preference for luxurious options. Those items were Asparagus with Mousseline Sauce. She chooses expensive restaurants and as well as costly dishes also. Asparagus with mousseline sauce is not only a delicacy but also adds significantly to the overall cost of the meal. Even the lady opts for “Chateaubriand,” a premium cut of beef, further contributing to the extravagance of the meal.

Indulgence in Luxurious Wine: The lady insisted on ordering a bottle of expensive wine, which was elevating the meal’s overall cost. Because of choosing expensive places and meals, the writer was in a disgusting situation, thinking about how much the bill would cost. Then, luxurious wine fuels this situation. But the lady says,

I ordered half a bottle. I mentioned casually that my doctor had absolutely forbidden me to drink champagne.

Awareness of Expenses: The writer knows the prices of the chosen dishes and wine. However, due to his infatuation, he hesitates to express any reservations or object to the choices made by the lady. This is because of her intentional exploitation. So silence also helps the lady guest to exploit. 

Manipulation of Emotions: The lady takes advantage of the writer’s admiration for her. She is aware of the writer’s infatuation and uses it to manipulate him into silently accepting her elegant choices. She knows he is unlikely to protest, and she exploits his emotional vulnerability for her benefit.

Silent Compliance: Despite internal reservations, the writer silently complies with the lady’s lavish orders. His unwillingness to voice objections allows the lady to exploit his generosity without resistance. He said,

I knew I could not afford caviar, but I could not very well tell her that.

Reflection on Foolishness: The narrator reflects on the incident with a mix of amusement and resignation. He recognizes the foolishness of his actions, acknowledging that his infatuation led him to overlook the financial effects of the grand meal.

Flattery and Charm: The lady employs flattery and charm throughout the meal to keep the writer in a state of admiration. This serves as a distraction and prevents the writer from fully realizing the extent of the exploitation until the bill arrives.

Exploitation of Social Norms: The lady takes advantage of societal expectations and norms that dictate the writer’s politeness and generosity. Because of these social norms, she manages to secure a plentiful meal without facing any resistance from the writer. When he exits from the restaurant, he says,

But when I walked out of the restaurant I had the whole month before me and not a penny in my pocket

The story humorously explores themes of social dynamics, manipulation, and the consequences of unchecked admiration. The narrator reflects on the incident with a mixture of amusement and resignation. The lady guest exploits the writer by using various social norms and maintaining a few techniques.