Which theme is supported by the events of both Fourteen and “The Dinner Party”
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
A theme supported by the events of both Fourteen by Alice Gerstenberg and The Dinner Party by Mona Gardner is “Appearances can be deceiving.”
Explanation
In both Fourteen and The Dinner Party, the authors use social settings to highlight how initial impressions can be misleading, subtly pointing to the deeper complexities of human behavior and societal assumptions.
In Alice Gerstenberg’s Fourteen, Mrs. Pringle meticulously plans a dinner party to introduce her daughter Elaine to an eligible bachelor. Everything is orchestrated to appear perfect, reflecting Mrs. Pringle’s desire to maintain an image of social prestige. However, as one guest after another cancels, her careful plans unravel. The chaos reveals not only the fragility of social appearances but also Mrs. Pringle’s obsession with status over genuine relationships. Ironically, the evening that was meant to secure a perfect match ends with a different suitor emerging — one that Mrs. Pringle hadn’t planned for. This twist shows that beneath the surface of her polished world, outcomes are unpredictable and controlled by more than just appearances.
In Mona Gardner’s The Dinner Party, a seemingly polite discussion about gender stereotypes arises at a dinner in colonial India. A male guest claims that women are always the first to panic in a crisis. Yet, when a cobra enters the room unnoticed and rests under the table, it is the hostess — a woman — who remains calm and prevents a potential disaster. Her composed behavior directly contradicts the assumption made earlier, proving that outward appearances and stereotypes do not reflect true inner strength or courage.
Both stories use the setting of a dinner party — a space traditionally associated with civility and order — to expose hidden truths. In doing so, they challenge the audience to reconsider their assumptions and recognize that appearances, social roles, and first impressions often conceal deeper realities.
Thus, the events of both stories strongly support the theme: Appearances can be deceiving.
