NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words: Chapter 15 — The Luncheon 99
This chapter, "The Luncheon" by William Somerset Maugham, recounts a memorable encounter from the narrator's past. Twenty years prior, a young, struggling writer living in Paris is invited to luncheon by a woman who admired his work. The chosen restaurant, Foyot's, is far beyond his financial means, with only eighty francs to last the month. He agrees, planning to spend fifteen francs on the meal. The woman, who appears older and more imposing than expected, claims she never eats anything for luncheon, except perhaps a little fish like salmon. When salmon is unavailable, she then mentions she doesn't mind caviare, which devastates the narrator financially as he cannot afford it. He orders the cheapest dish, a mutton chop, while she insists she doesn't eat meat or drink anything for luncheon, highlighting her peculiar eating habits. The chapter explores themes of social pretension, financial struggle, and the narrator's youthful naivety. It serves as a cautionary tale about appearances and the cost of social obligations for students learning about narrative and character.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Woven Words |
| Chapter | Chapter 15 — 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 decision-making.
- Identify and interpret the woman's character and motivations.
- Understand the social dynamics and underlying tensions in the narrative.
- Recognize the use of irony and foreshadowing in the story.
- Appreciate the author's portrayal of human nature and social pretension.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| devastating | Causing severe shock or distress. |
| 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. |
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Practice questions
- What was the narrator's financial situation when he met the woman? Answer: The narrator was living in Paris on a very small income, with only eighty francs to last him the rest of the month.
- Why was the narrator hesitant about the restaurant Foyot's? Answer: Foyot's was a very expensive restaurant, far beyond the narrator's means.
- What did the woman claim she never ate for luncheon? Answer: She claimed she never ate anything for luncheon, except perhaps a little fish or caviare.
- What did the narrator order for himself? Answer: The narrator 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' when recalling their first meeting.
Q2. Where was the narrator living when he first met the woman?
Explanation: The narrator mentions, 'I was living in Paris' and had a tiny apartment in the Latin quarter.
Q3. What was the name of the restaurant where they had luncheon?
Explanation: The narrator agreed to meet the woman at 'Foyot's'.
Q4. What did the woman say she never ate for luncheon?
Explanation: She initially stated, 'I never eat anything for luncheon.'
Q5. What expensive item did the woman mention she didn't mind having?
Explanation: After mentioning fish, she added, 'Unless you have a little caviare. I never mind caviare.'
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of 'The Luncheon'?
The author of 'The Luncheon' is William Somerset Maugham.
What is the main setting of the story?
The main setting is Paris, specifically at the expensive restaurant Foyot's.
What was the narrator's profession?
The narrator was a writer who had published a book that the woman had read.
How much money did the narrator have for the rest of the month?
The narrator had eighty francs to last him for the rest of the month.
What did the woman claim she never ate for lunch?
She claimed she never ate anything for lunch, except perhaps a little fish or caviare.
What does the chapter reveal about the woman's true intentions?
The chapter implies the woman intentionally ordered expensive items to make the narrator pay, despite her claims of not eating much.
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NCERT Class 11 English — Woven Words — Chapter 15 — The Luncheon 99. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.