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.
4.3.3 - THREE QUESTIONS - LEO TOLSTOY
Book Back Questions
1. What were the three questions that the king wanted to be answered?
The king wanted answers to three important questions that troubled him deeply.
- The first question was to know the right time to begin everything. He believed that if he knew the correct time, he would never fail in his actions.
- The second question was about identifying the right people to listen to and whom to avoid. He wanted to know whose advice was most important.
- The third question was about understanding the most important thing to do in life. The king felt that finding answers to these three questions would help him rule wisely and successfully.
Hence, he announced a reward for anyone who could answer these questions correctly.
2. What were the answers that the king got from the wise men?
The wise men gave different answers to the king’s questions. For the first question, one suggested making a strict timetable and following it, while another said it was impossible to plan everything in advance. Some advised the king to consult a council of wise men, and others suggested consulting magicians. For the second question, the answers varied: some said the king should listen to administrators, priests, monks, doctors, or warriors. For the third question, some believed science was the most important thing, while others felt religion or military skills were most important. The king was not satisfied because none of the answers were clear or convincing.
3. How did the king make peace with the enemy?
The king made peace with his enemy through kindness and forgiveness. When the wounded man came to the hermitage, the king helped him by washing and bandaging his wound and stayed with him throughout the night. The next morning, the man confessed that he had come to kill the king because the king had executed his brother and seized his property. Instead of punishing him, the king forgave him. He also promised to restore the man’s property and send his servants to take care of him. This act of mercy turned an enemy into a friend and brought peace between them.
4. How did the king get answers to his three questions?
The king got answers to his three questions through his actions at the hermitage. While helping the hermit dig the ground, he was doing the right thing at the right time. Later, when he helped the wounded man, that moment became the most important time and the wounded man became the most important person. By saving the man’s life and forgiving him, the king realized that doing good was the most important thing. The hermit explained that these events themselves were the answers. Thus, the king learned that the present moment, the person before him, and doing good are the true answers.
5. How did the hermit interpret the events at the hermitage?
The hermit interpreted the events as lessons that answered the king’s questions. He said that when the king helped him dig the beds, that was the most important time and the hermit was the most important person. Later, when the king helped the wounded man, that moment became the most important time and the wounded man was the most important person. The hermit explained that the present moment is always the most important time because it is the only time we have power over. The most important person is the one we are with, and the most important thing is to do good to that person.