Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does the term 'Phantom' refer to in the context of the story?
What does the term 'Phantom' refer to in the context of the story?
- A mysterious occurrence
- A real event
- An imaginative or fictional event (correct)
- A supernatural phenomenon
What is the occupation of Sir James in the story?
What is the occupation of Sir James in the story?
- A writer
- A businessman
- A philanthropist
- A politician (correct)
Why does Sir James want his wife to invite the Smithly Dubb sisters for lunch?
Why does Sir James want his wife to invite the Smithly Dubb sisters for lunch?
- Because they can help him win votes (correct)
- Because they are wealthy
- Because they are old friends
- Because they are influential in society
What is the attitude of Lady Drakmanton towards the Smithly Dubb sisters?
What is the attitude of Lady Drakmanton towards the Smithly Dubb sisters?
Who does Lady Drakmanton try to pass off the task of entertaining the Smithly Dubb sisters to?
Who does Lady Drakmanton try to pass off the task of entertaining the Smithly Dubb sisters to?
Where does Milly inform Lady Drakmanton she had lunch on the same day?
Where does Milly inform Lady Drakmanton she had lunch on the same day?
What plan does Lady Drakmanton come up with after talking to Milly?
What plan does Lady Drakmanton come up with after talking to Milly?
What do the three sisters talk about during lunch?
What do the three sisters talk about during lunch?
What is the tone of the story 'The Phantom Luncheon'?
What is the tone of the story 'The Phantom Luncheon'?
What is the author of the story 'The Phantom Luncheon' known for?
What is the author of the story 'The Phantom Luncheon' known for?
What was Lady Drakmanton's initial response to the sisters' topic about politics?
What was Lady Drakmanton's initial response to the sisters' topic about politics?
Why did the sisters try to make Lady Drakmanton remember her identity?
Why did the sisters try to make Lady Drakmanton remember her identity?
What was Ellen Niggle's occupation?
What was Ellen Niggle's occupation?
Why did Ellen Niggle forget her identity?
Why did Ellen Niggle forget her identity?
What did the Smithly Dubbs predominantly do before Lady Drakmanton's prank?
What did the Smithly Dubbs predominantly do before Lady Drakmanton's prank?
What did Lady Drakmanton and her sister Milly achieve through their prank?
What did Lady Drakmanton and her sister Milly achieve through their prank?
Why was it intolerable for the Smithly Dubbs to invite a middle-class person to their social circle?
Why was it intolerable for the Smithly Dubbs to invite a middle-class person to their social circle?
What was the real identity of the person who had lunch with the Smithly Dubbs?
What was the real identity of the person who had lunch with the Smithly Dubbs?
What did Ellen Niggle do after remembering her identity?
What did Ellen Niggle do after remembering her identity?
What did the Smithly Dubbs start doing after the incident?
What did the Smithly Dubbs start doing after the incident?
What is the purpose of Sir James's advice to his wife to invite the Smithly Dubbs to lunch?
What is the purpose of Sir James's advice to his wife to invite the Smithly Dubbs to lunch?
How does Lady Drakmanton describe the Smithly Dubbs' behavior?
How does Lady Drakmanton describe the Smithly Dubbs' behavior?
What is Lady Drakmanton's attitude towards hosting luncheons for affluent members of society?
What is Lady Drakmanton's attitude towards hosting luncheons for affluent members of society?
What does Lady Drakmanton accuse her sister Milly of doing?
What does Lady Drakmanton accuse her sister Milly of doing?
What is the tone of the conversation between Sir James and Lady Drakmanton?
What is the tone of the conversation between Sir James and Lady Drakmanton?
What is the implication of the story about the social class of the Smithly Dubbs?
What is the implication of the story about the social class of the Smithly Dubbs?
What is the author's purpose in portraying the characters of Sir James and Lady Drakmanton?
What is the author's purpose in portraying the characters of Sir James and Lady Drakmanton?
Study Notes
The Phantom Luncheon
- The story is about an imaginative lunch, written by Saki (H.H.Munro), known for his humorous satires.
- The story starts with a conversation between Sir James and his wife Lady Drakmanton about inviting the three Smithly Dubb sisters for a luncheon.
The Smithly Dubb Sisters
- The sisters were back in town, and Sir James wanted Lady Drakmanton to take them for a luncheon to keep them happy and win votes.
- Lady Drakmanton refused, calling them greedy and only interested in being invited to expensive high-class restaurants for a six-course meal.
The Prank
- Lady Drakmanton's sister Milly refused to take the sisters for lunch, so Lady Drakmanton transformed Milly to look like her.
- Milly, acting as Lady Drakmanton, met the sisters at a club and suggested Carlton for lunch.
- The sisters happily agreed, imagining high-quality fresh food, and the lunch was a success.
The Reveal
- When the sisters discussed politics, "Lady Drakmanton" (Milly) claimed to have lost her memory and didn't recognize them.
- The sisters tried to make her remember, but "Lady Drakmanton" insisted she didn't know who they were or why they were there.
- Just as they were about to figure out the truth, the real Lady Drakmanton arrived, and the sisters were shocked.
The Aftermath
- The imposter, Ellen Niggle, revealed her true identity, a member of the Ladies' Brass Polishing Guild.
- The sisters were left with a huge bill and a lesson learned: they were capable of spending money on luxury but couldn't tolerate inviting a middle-class person into their high-class network.
- The prank taught them to leave politics and start doing good for society.
Luncheon and Phantom
- Luncheon refers to a formal meal, whereas Phantom symbolizes imagination.
The Tale's Setting
- The conversation between Sir James and his wife Lady Drakmanton establishes the setting for the story.
- Sir James is a respected, wealthy member of society who uses his connections and favors to gain votes.
- He advises his wife to take the Smithly Dubbs (three sisters) out for a formal lunch when they return to town.
The Smithly Dubbs
- The Smithly Dubbs are members of a club and barely participate in anything other than attending lunches.
- They are characterized as avaricious, constantly seeking opportunities to accept invitations to expensive, upscale restaurants for six-course meals.
Lady Drakmanton's Concerns
- Lady Drakmanton refuses to host a lunch for the Smithly Dubbs, citing their difficult nature.
- She recalls hosting similar luncheons for other affluent members of their society.
- She attempts to shift the blame to her sister Milly.
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Description
A humorous satire about an imaginative lunch, exploring themes of power, influence, and social class in British society.
