Publisher's Synopsis
Mrs. Perkins's Ball is a short story written by William Makepeace Thackeray. The story is set in the early 19th century and follows the preparations and events of a ball hosted by Mrs. Perkins, a middle-class woman. The story is narrated by Thackeray in a humorous and satirical tone, poking fun at the social conventions and pretensions of the time.The story begins with the preparations for the ball, with Mrs. Perkins and her daughters fussing over the decorations, food, and guest list. The guests arrive, including a mix of high and low society, and the ball begins. Thackeray describes the various dances and interactions between the guests, highlighting their social positions and quirks.Throughout the story, Thackeray uses wit and irony to comment on the social norms and expectations of the time. He pokes fun at the guests' superficiality and their preoccupation with status and appearance. He also critiques the rigid class system of the time, highlighting the absurdity of the distinctions between the different levels of society.As the ball comes to an end, Thackeray reflects on the fleeting nature of social events and the transience of human connections. The story ends with Mrs. Perkins and her daughters retiring to bed, exhausted but satisfied with the success of their ball.Overall, Mrs. Perkins's Ball is a witty and entertaining satire of the social conventions and pretensions of the early 19th century. Thackeray's sharp observations and clever humor make it a classic of English literature.The gray morning was in Pocklington Square as she drove away in her fly. So did the other people go away. How green and sallow some of the girls looked, and how awfully clear Mrs. Colonel Bludyer's rouge was! Lady Jane Ranville's great coach had roared away down the streets long before. Fred Minchin pattered off in his clogs: it was I who covered up Miss Meggot, and conducted her, with her two old sisters, to the carriage. Good old souls! They have shown their gratitude by asking me to tea next Tuesday.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
