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?
4.3.2 - A SNAKE IN THE GRASS - R. K NARAYAN
Book Back Questions
1. How is the title of the story “A Snake in the Grass” by R. K. Narayan significant?
The title “A Snake in the Grass” is highly significant as it has both literal and figurative meanings. Literally, the story revolves around a cobra that is believed to have entered the family’s garden hidden among the overgrown grass. Figuratively, the title refers to Dasa, the servant, who proves to be untrustworthy. Though he claims to have caught the snake, the later appearance of a real cobra suggests that he might have lied. Thus, Dasa becomes the real “snake in the grass.” The title also reflects fear, suspicion, and deception. Narayan uses the title cleverly to highlight human behavior and irony in a humorous way.
2. How did the beggar woman utilize the situation?
The beggar woman cleverly used the situation to her advantage by exploiting the fear and superstition of the family. She warned the lady of the house not to kill the snake, saying it was Lord Subramaniya. This immediately frightened the mother and made her feel guilty about the pujas she had failed to perform earlier. By linking the snake to religion, the beggar woman gained importance and attention. She further suggested calling a snake charmer, showing her influence over the family. Her actions reveal how fear and belief can be used to control people. Thus, the beggar woman utilized the situation wisely for her benefit.
3. Bring out the superstitious belief of the women folk.
The women folk in the story show strong superstitious beliefs. When the college-educated son mentions that thousands die of snake bites every year, the mother becomes extremely frightened. Later, the beggar woman claims that the snake is Lord Subramaniya, which makes the mother believe that the cobra’s entry is a divine reminder. She immediately remembers the pujas she failed to perform and feels guilty. Instead of thinking logically, the women rely on religious beliefs and fear. Their reactions show how superstition dominates their thinking. Narayan humorously highlights how fear and blind belief influence the behavior of women in crisis situations.
4. How did Dasa, the idler, turn a hero?
Dasa is portrayed as a lazy and irresponsible servant at the beginning of the story. He is blamed for the snake’s presence due to his poor maintenance of the garden. He is even threatened with dismissal if he fails to catch the snake. However, the situation changes when Dasa returns with a pot claiming to have trapped the cobra. The frightened family keeps a safe distance and praises him without verifying the truth. They admire him and even think of rewarding him. Thus, Dasa suddenly becomes the “hero of the day.” His clever act saves his job and turns fear into admiration.
5. Describe the search for the snake and how it ended.
The search for the snake begins with panic and confusion. Family members and neighbors gather in fear and blame Dasa for negligence. The boys bring bamboo sticks, while others use knives and crowbars to hack the garden. The entire lawn is cleared during the frantic search. A beggar woman and later a snake charmer arrive, but neither can locate the snake. Finally, Dasa appears with a pot claiming to have caught the snake, and the family believes him without checking. Later, a real cobra is seen slithering away, suggesting that the snake was never caught. The search ends in irony and doubt.