Mrs. Sheridan
Mrs. Sheridan is an important character in the short story “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield. She has a strong influence over her family and contributes to Laura’s change of attitude.
Mrs. Sheridan is an important figure in the family. She influences her children, although she pretends the situation is the other way round. For example, she is keen on throwing a garden party, but implies she has only done it for the sake of her children: “ ‘But oh, these parties, these parties! Why will you children insist on giving parties!’ ” (ll. 370-371). Furthermore, she claims that she will not get involved in the party (ll. 14-16), although there are many instances when she takes complete control over the preparations. For example, she orders a very ...