NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words: Chapter 25 — The Luncheon 99
This chapter from NCERT's Woven Words for Class 11, titled "The Luncheon" by William Somerset Maugham, recounts a memorable encounter from the author's past. Twenty years prior, a young, struggling writer living in Paris is invited to luncheon by a woman who admired his work. The meeting takes place at Foyot's, an expensive restaurant beyond the writer's means. Despite claiming she never eats anything for luncheon, the woman orders both salmon and caviare, while the writer, concerned about his limited budget of eighty francs, opts for the cheapest dish, a mutton chop. The woman then criticizes his choice of heavy food and his decision to drink anything. The narrative highlights the narrator's financial constraints and the woman's extravagant and hypocritical dining choices, setting the stage for further developments in their interaction. This chapter explores themes of social dynamics, financial prudence, and subtle social commentary relevant to CBSE English studies.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Woven Words |
| Chapter | Chapter 25 — 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 struggles and decision-making.
- Identify and interpret the woman's character and motivations.
- Understand the social commentary embedded in the narrative.
- Recognize the use of irony and understatement in Maugham's writing.
- Improve vocabulary through context-based learning of new expressions.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| devastating | Causing severe damage or destruction; overwhelming. |
| passion | Strong and barely controllable emotion. |
| caviare | A delicacy consisting of the salted roe of sturgeon and 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 head or hand to encourage someone to come nearer or to follow. |
| interval | A pause or break between parts of a performance, play, or concert. |
| Latin quarter | A district in Paris historically associated with students and artists. |
| bill of fare | A menu. |
| mutton chop | A cut of meat from a sheep, typically a rib or loin. |
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Practice questions
- Where did the narrator meet the woman twenty years after their first encounter? Answer: The narrator met the woman at the play during an interval.
- What was the narrator's financial situation when he first met the woman in Paris? Answer: The narrator was living in a tiny apartment and earning barely enough money to survive.
- Why was the narrator hesitant about the luncheon at Foyot's? Answer: Foyot's was a very expensive restaurant, far beyond the narrator's financial 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 first met?
Explanation: The narrator explicitly states, 'It was twenty years ago' when recalling their first meeting.
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 budget for the luncheon?
Explanation: The narrator planned that 'a modest luncheon should not cost more than fifteen' francs.
Q4. What expensive item did the woman order in addition to salmon?
Explanation: After ordering salmon, the woman added, 'Unless you have a little caviare. I never mind caviare.'
Q5. What did the woman say about eating meat?
Explanation: She told the narrator, 'I think you are unwise to eat meat... I don't believe in overloading my stomach.'
Q6. What was the narrator's profession mentioned in the text?
Explanation: The woman mentions she had 'read a book of mine,' indicating the narrator is a writer.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of 'The Luncheon'?
The author of 'The Luncheon' is William Somerset Maugham.
What is the setting of the story's flashback?
The flashback is set in Paris, at an expensive restaurant called Foyot's.
What was the narrator's financial situation in Paris?
The narrator was struggling financially, with only eighty francs to last the month.
What did the woman claim about her eating habits during luncheon?
She claimed she never ate anything for luncheon, or only one thing, like a little fish or caviare.
What did the narrator order for himself?
The narrator ordered a mutton chop, which was the cheapest dish on the menu.
What is the significance of the restaurant Foyot's?
Foyot's is presented as an expensive restaurant frequented by French senators, highlighting the narrator's financial limitations.
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NCERT Class 11 English — Woven Words — Chapter 25 — The Luncheon 99. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.