An intriguing metaphor: the novel's name is The Garden Party, but nothing happened at the garden party was narrated in the novel, the only allusion to the process of the party is this, a few compliments on Laura's stunning appearance, and good-byes. Perhaps the metaphor also indicates that Laura's innocent age, (when she had not a taste of life and death), slowly ripened, and slowly faded with the perfect afternoon at the exact same time.