The Theme of Being a Hostess in Hostess

The Theme of Being a Hostess in Hostess

My best friend was about to turn 18, and because I was her closest friend, I decided to

celebrate her birthday at my home. I invited eighty of our high school friends, which was an

enormous mistake. I felt like I just became in charge of an oversized kindergarten class. I was

amazed at how difficult it was to become a hostess for eighty teenagers who had no idea what

manners were. I ran around the house, kicking people out of bedrooms, filling up the drinks and

food, and wiping up spills that were everywhere. I barely even had a chance to have any fun at

talk to anyone the entire night. The next year was the year that I decided to put everyone outside

in the backyard to celebrate the next birthday. Becoming a hostess is a great deal of work

depending on who the party is intended for.

The story “Hostess” is also an account of having to be a hostess at a social gathering.

The narrator becomes the hostess of a party and through her eyes, we gain her viewpoint of her

surroundings. Being the hostess, the narrator is thoughtful and caring towards all of friends and

in the end winds up talking on the phone while all her guests are in the other room amusing

themselves.

The narrator of the story comes directly out as being a motherly figure, calm and caring.

She immediately selects a bowl for the young woman who is sick in the bathroom and brings her

to another room where she can recover. In doing this, she leaves the bathroom open for anyone

who decides they need to use it. When the young woman’s boyfriend shows up at the party, the

narrator is about to reveal how she feels towards him because of his cheating with another

woman, but holds her emotions back and allows the boy to see the girl. She controls her

behaviors and emotions and doesn’t allow the small interruptions or mishaps bother her.

The narrator and her husband live in a trailer park and seem to be content with what they

have. They appear to be very non-materialistic and careful with what they do with their money.

When her husband Dale placed a bet with a friend for five dollars and lost, she was untroubled

by the fact of losing the money. She quickly forgot about it and went on with her business as if it