Characters & Setting
Where does the narrator meet the woman for lunch?
At Foyot's restaurant.
On which day does the narrator agree to meet the woman?
Thursday.
What does tiny mean?
Very small.
Why does the narrator agree to meet the woman?
Because she had read one of his books and wanted to meet him.
What was the narrator's profession?
He was a writer.
Which restaurant does the woman suggest?
Foyot's.
What does imposing mean?
Impressive or grand in appearance.
Why is the narrator worried about the cost of the meal?
He has limited money and cannot afford an expensive meal.
In which city does the story take place?
Paris.
What food does the woman order first?
Salmon.
What does barely mean?
Only just; hardly enough
Why is the woman's statement "I never eat anything for luncheon" ironic?
She says she eats very little but orders several expensive dishes.
How does the narrator describe the woman's appearance?
She was imposing rather than attractive, with large, white teeth.
What does the narrator decide to give up to manage his expenses?
Coffee for the next two weeks.
What does reassured mean?
Made someone feel less worried.
How does the woman's behaviour show that she is inconsiderate?
She keeps ordering expensive food without thinking about the narrator's financial situation.
What does the woman's appearance at the end of the story reveal?
She has gained a great deal of weight over the years.
How much money does the narrator have to last for the rest of the month?
Eighty francs.
What does the expression beyond my means mean?
Too expensive for someone to afford.
How does the final line, "Today, she weighs twenty-one stone," create humour and irony?
The woman once claimed she ate very little, but the ending reveals that she has become very overweight. This creates humour through the contrast between her words and her later appearance.