Chapter the-luncheon: The Luncheon | Long Questions

The ending of the story provides a sense of cosmic justice or 'poetic revenge' for the author. Twenty years after the disastrous luncheon, he encounters the woman again and finds that she now weighs twenty-one stone. This physical transformation is seen as a direct consequence of her gluttonous habits which she denied having during their first meeting. The author views her obesity as a punishment from the 'immortal gods,' suggesting that her greed finally caught up with her. While he claims he is not vindictive, his feeling of 'complacency' shows a deep-seated satisfaction in seeing her suffer a consequence for her past behavior. This ending reinforces the theme that actions have long-term results. It provides a humorous resolution to the author’s past misery, satisfying the reader’s sense of fairness after witnessing his financial exploitation.

The setting moves from the present-day theater to a flashback of Paris twenty years prior, specifically focusing on the Latin Quarter and Foyot's restaurant. The Latin Quarter, where the author lived in a tiny apartment overlooking a cemetery, represents his humble, struggling artist reality. In contrast, Foyot’s is described as a prestigious restaurant where French senators dine, symbolizing a high social status that the author cannot afford. This setting is crucial because it establishes the 'pretense' of the luncheon. By choosing such an expensive venue, the woman forces the author into a world of luxury that he doesn't belong to. The high-end setting emphasizes the absurdity of the woman’s claims of eating 'nothing' while surrounded by the most expensive food in France, thereby deepening the social satire.

The waiter acts as a silent catalyst who intensifies the author’s distress. He is described as having a 'priest-like face' and an 'ingratiating smile,' which masks his role in pushing the expensive items. Each time the waiter appears with the bill of fare or mentions a seasonal specialty like the salmon or the giant asparagus, the author’s anxiety increases. The waiter provides the guest with the opportunity to indulge her greed by confirming the availability of rare delicacies. To the author, the waiter represents the impending financial doom, as he is the one who will eventually present the bill. The waiter’s polite professionalism contrasts sharply with the author’s internal panic. His presence ensures that the author cannot easily back out of the mounting expenses, making the restaurant experience feel like a trap set by social etiquette.