NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words: Chapter 8 — The Luncheon 99
This chapter from NCERT's Woven Words for Class 11, titled "The Luncheon," recounts a memorable encounter between the narrator and a woman he met twenty years prior. The narrator, a struggling young writer in Paris, is invited to lunch by a woman who admired his book. He agrees, despite his meager finances, choosing a modest restaurant beyond his means. The woman, who claims to eat very little, orders expensive items like salmon and caviare, while the narrator opts for the cheapest dish, a mutton chop. She criticizes his choice, advocating for lighter meals. The chapter explores themes of social pretension, financial struggle, and the narrator's youthful eagerness to impress. It highlights the contrast between the woman's extravagant orders and her claims of minimal eating, setting the stage for a potentially humorous or ironic conclusion about appearances and reality in social interactions. This chapter helps students understand narrative structure, characterization, and subtle social commentary.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Woven Words |
| Chapter | Chapter 8 — The Luncheon 99 |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 284 |
Learning outcomes
- Analyze the narrator's financial constraints and social pressures.
- Identify and interpret the woman's pretentious behavior and dialogue.
- Understand the use of irony and understatement in the narrative.
- Discuss the themes of social class and appearance versus reality.
- Improve comprehension skills for complex literary texts.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| devastating | Causing severe damage or destruction. |
| passion | Strong and barely controllable emotion. |
| caviare | A delicacy consisting of the salted roe of a sturgeon or other large fish. |
| complacency | A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself. |
| vindictive | Having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge. |
| mortifying | Causing extreme embarrassment or shame. |
| ingratiating | Intended to gain approval or favor; charming. |
| beckoning | Making a gesture with the hand or head to encourage someone to come nearer or to follow. |
| interval | A pause or break between parts of a theatrical performance, concert, or other event. |
| meager | Lacking in quantity or quality. |
| flattered | Pleased and complimented. |
| bill of fare | A menu. |
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Practice questions
- What was the narrator's financial situation when he first met the woman? Answer: The narrator was living in Paris with a tiny apartment and earning barely enough money to survive, with only eighty francs to last the rest of the month.
- Why did the narrator agree to have lunch with the woman despite his financial situation? Answer: He was flattered by her request and was too young to refuse a woman.
- What did the woman claim she never ate for luncheon? Answer: She claimed she never ate anything for luncheon, and never more than one thing.
- What expensive item did the woman order, despite claiming to eat little? Answer: She ordered caviare.
- What did the narrator order for himself? Answer: He ordered the cheapest dish on the menu, which was a mutton chop.
Practice MCQs
Q1. How long had it been since the narrator and the woman last met?
Explanation: The narrator explicitly states, 'It was twenty years ago and I was living in Paris.'
Q2. Where did the narrator live when he first met the woman?
Explanation: The narrator mentions, 'I was living in Paris. I had a tiny apartment in the Latin quarter.'
Q3. What was the narrator's approximate budget for the luncheon?
Explanation: He calculated that a modest luncheon should not cost more than fifteen francs.
Q4. What was the woman's initial claim about her eating habits at luncheon?
Explanation: She stated, 'I never eat anything for luncheon.'
Q5. Which expensive delicacy did the woman order?
Explanation: Despite claiming to eat little, she added, 'Unless you have a little caviare. I never mind caviare.'
Q6. What did the narrator order for himself?
Explanation: He chose the cheapest dish on the menu, which was a mutton chop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of 'The Luncheon' chapter?
The main themes revolve around social pretension, the narrator's financial struggles, and the contrast between appearance and reality in social interactions.
Who is the author of 'The Luncheon'?
The author is William Somerset Maugham.
Where does the story take place?
The story primarily takes place in Paris, at a restaurant called Foyot's.
What was the narrator's profession?
The narrator was a writer.
Why was the narrator hesitant about the restaurant choice?
The restaurant, Foyot's, was far beyond his financial means.
What is 'caviare'?
Caviare is a delicacy made from the salted roe (eggs) of sturgeon or other large fish.
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 English — Woven Words — Chapter 8 — The Luncheon 99. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.