Unit IV - Short Story

4.3.1 - MRS PACKLETIDE’S TIGER - SAKI

Book Back Questions

1. Consider Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger as a social satire.

Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger is a social satire because it exposes the vanity and hypocrisy of upper-class society. Mrs. Packletide wants to shoot a tiger not out of courage or love for adventure, but only to outshine her rival, Loona Bimberton. The so-called tiger hunt is artificial, as the tiger is old and feeble, and the villagers stage the entire event for money. The press glorifies the incident without knowing the truth. Miss Mebbin’s blackmail further reveals human greed. Through humour and irony, the author mocks false heroism, social rivalry, and the hunger for publicity. Thus, the story satirizes shallow social values and pretended bravery.

2. Sketch the character of Miss Mebbin.

Miss Mebbin is a clever, practical, and greedy woman. She accompanies Mrs. Packletide on the tiger hunt but does not share her excitement. She is observant and quickly notices that the tiger died of a heart attack and that the bullet had actually hit the goat. Unlike Mrs. Packletide, she is not emotional but highly calculative. She uses her knowledge of the truth to blackmail Mrs. Packletide and forces her to buy a weekend cottage near Dorking. Miss Mebbin is selfish and money-minded, as seen when she names the cottage “The Wild Beasts.” Her character represents cold intelligence, greed, and lack of moral values.

3 & 4. Briefly bring out the similarities in the characters of Mrs. Packletide and Loona Bimberton.

Mrs. Packletide and Loona Bimberton are similar in their vanity and desire for social recognition. Both women crave attention and publicity. Loona enjoys fame after being flown in an aeroplane, while Mrs. Packletide envies this and plans the tiger hunt to surpass her rival. Neither of them shows genuine courage or humility. Their lives are governed by social competition and jealousy. Both value public admiration more than truth or ethics. They represent the shallow mentality of upper-class society, where personal achievements are used only to impress others. Thus, both characters reflect pride, rivalry, and a hunger for social status.

5. What important message is given out by the author in the story?

The author conveys that pride, jealousy, and false heroism lead to humiliation and unnecessary suffering. Mrs. Packletide’s desire to outshine Loona results in moral compromise, public deception, and financial loss. The story shows that achievements motivated by envy lack true value. It also highlights how greed, represented by Miss Mebbin, can exploit human weakness. Another message is that society often celebrates false bravery without questioning the truth. Through humour and irony, the author advises readers to avoid unhealthy competition and live honestly. True worth lies in character, not in publicity or social display.