In 'The Luncheon,' William Somerset Maugham narrates a humorous meeting with a woman he hoped would support his art, only to find himself in a complicated situation at an upscale restaurant. The story unfolds in three parts, reflecting on their meeting twenty years prior and emphasizing themes of personal accountability and the consequences of one's actions. Maugham cleverly critiques the manipulative nature of people while illustrating how one's behavior can lead to unexpected outcomes.

1. The
Luncheon
By
William
Somerset
Maugham

2. About the author
 William Somerset Maugham(1874---1965), a
writer of short stories, novels and plays, was
born in Paris on 25 January 1874.
 Parents died before he was 10, and he went
back to England and was educated at King’s
School.
 Some of his famous work include
 Human Bondage (1915)
 The Moon and Sixpence (1919)
 Cakes and Ale (1930)
 The Razor’s Edge (1944)
 The Circle (1921)
 Our Betters (1923)
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3. Summary
• A most delightfully humorous narrative,
"The Luncheon" is a slice of life
story about Maugham's luncheon date
proposed to him by a woman whom he
hopes is a supporter of his art.
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4. Point of view
The Book Writer’s
The story is told through first person
narration; the narrator being the writer.
“ I caught sight of her at the play."

5. 3 Parts
Part I
Present
Part II
20 years later
Part III
Present

6. Part I
The book writer and the woman meet again after they last
saw each other 20 years before, and then he starts to
recall the luncheon at that day.
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7. Part II
• Having only communicated with her through the mail,
the author is rather surprised to meet a woman of forty
who gives him "the impression of having more
teeth, white and large and even, than were
necessary for any practical purpose.”
• Since the author has only eighty francs to last him the
rest of the month, he is anxious about eating at the
restaurant where French senators dine that she
suggests.
•

8. Part II
All the time that she is consuming such rich foods and
drink, she scolds Maugham for eating red meat, as he has
ordered mutton:
"You see, you've filled your stomach with a
lot of meat"—my one miserable little chop—
"and you can't eat any more. But I've just
had a snack and I shall enjoy a peach."

9. Part III
• At the end, the author explains that he is not a vindictive man,
but "when the immortal gods take a hand in the matter, it is
pardonable to observe the result with complacency," he
remarks. Now this woman, who only eats light lunches and
only one thing at a time, "weighs twenty-one stones" (nearly
295 pounds).
BEFORE AFTER

10. Theme
• It is necessary to say “no” when it is
necessary.
• People receive the impact of their own
behavior
• When one tries to covet small gains, one
may suffer a great loss.

11. Explore
In this story, the author does not name the
woman because he's not making a point
about a particular woman, but is referring
to people in general who manipulate
others, but who will eventually receive
their just reward.