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