payment page
Laura Sheridan
The Sheridan’s teenage daughter and the story’s protagonist. She and her sisters have been put in charge of organizing the family’s garden party. She is sensitive and artistic. Unlike the rest of her family, Laura is aware and concerned about the social disparities between her wealthy family and friends and their working-class servants, hired help, and poor neighbors.
Read an in-depth analysis of Laura Sheridan.
Mrs. Sheridan
Laura’s mother. She is the class-conscious matriarch of the wealthy Sheridan family. Although she leaves the planning and running of the party in her children’s hands, she still works behind the scenes to make sure it runs smoothly. She is very concerned with upholding appearances and displays indifference and disdain for her less fortunate neighbors.
Read an in-depth analysis of Mrs. Sheridan.
Jose Sheridan
One of Laura’s sisters. The family’s social butterfly, she likes to be the center of attention. She enjoys ordering around the family’s servants and they enjoy taking orders from her. She looks to her mother for praise. Like her mother, she is appalled at the thought of canceling the party over the death of their poor neighbor.
Laurie Sheridan
Laura’s older brother. Laurie acts as Laura’s character foil. He is a fine, upper-class young man with formal manners. He pays attention to superficialities, such as his coat and Laura’s hat. When he finds Laura returning from the home of the grieving widow, he shows concern for Laura but not for the family of the deceased.
Mr. Scott
A working-class deceased neighbor. Mr. Scott is killed in an accident on the morning of the garden party. He worked as a carter, or cart driver. A steam-powered tractor startled his horse, throwing him from the cart and causing a fatal head injury. He leaves behind a wife and five young children.
Em Scott’s Sister
The sister of the deceased neighbor’s widow. She is a small woman who wears mourning black. She guides Laura through the Scott house, to Em in the kitchen, then to Mr. Scott’s body in the bedroom. She comforts Laura, telling her not to be afraid.
Em Scott
The deceased neighbor’s widow. When Laura visits the Scott home, Em sits by the kitchen fireplace grieving. She is a mother to five young children. She seems confused about the purpose of Laura’s presence.
Cook
A servant in the Sheridan house. Mrs. Sheridan claims to be terrified of her for some unknown reason. Bending the rules of propriety, she gives Laura and Jose cream puffs soon after breakfast. She displays a motherly affection for the girls. The Sheridans display their class distinctions by calling by her “Cook” rather than by her name.
Workmen
Workers employed by the Sheridans. The four workmen arrive with tools to set up the marquee in the yard. Laura becomes flustered by her own affectation when she first speaks with them. She admires them for their friendliness and lack of pretense. Laura wishes she could be friends with them as opposed to the “silly boys” of her own social circle, although they ignore her instructions.
Meg Sheridan
One of Laura’s sisters. Although she does not speak in the story, she enjoys her leisurely life. She lounges at the breakfast table, drinking coffee with her newly washed hair wrapped in a green towel. She helps Jose move furniture and plays piano while Jose sings.
Mr. Sheridan
Laura’s father. He and Laurie go to work at the office, leaving the party planning to the women of the house. After the party, he comments on Mr. Scott’s death, showing concern for the deceased and his family. Mrs. Sheridan thinks he is rude for mentioning it.
Kitty Maitland
Laura’s friend and party guest. She telephones Laura at breakfast time. Laura adopts her mother’s manner of speaking when talking to her. At the party, she mocks the people in the band, comparing them to frogs. She is a member of the social elite.
Godber’s Man
A delivery man. He brings cream puffs from Godber’s bakery for the party. He delights in bringing news of Mr. Scott’s death. Although he is a member of the working class, he shows no sadness over the accident.
Sadie
A servant in the Sheridan house. She carries messages to and from the servants, deliverymen, and the Sheridans. News of Mr. Scott’s death upsets her.
Hans
A servant in the Sheridan house. Referred to as “good little Hans,” he helps Meg and Jose move the piano and other furniture in the drawing room. He has trouble understanding the report of Scott’s death.
The Band
A group of musicians employed by the Sheridans. They play during the party, a sign of the family’s wealth. They wear green coats, encouraging Kitty Maitland to mock them, comparing them to frogs. Laura worries that their playing might upset their grieving neighbors.
The Florist’s Man
A delivery man. He delivers many trays of lilies to the Sheridan house.
The Old, Old Woman
An old woman. She sits on a chair outside the Scott’s home with her feet on a newspaper for warmth. As Laura approaches, she observes attentively.
