BRIEF SUMMARY
Mrs Packletide's Tiger is a humorous short story by Saki. The story revolves around Mrs. Packletide, a wealthy woman who wants to outdo her rival, Loona Bimberton, by shooting a tiger. She hires a hunter to assist her and arranges a hunt in India. After much planning and expense, Mrs. Packletide finally manages to shoot a tiger but not before the tiger has already been weakened by the hunter. To make matters worse, the villagers find out about the situation and demand compensation for the damage caused by the tiger. In the end, Mrs. Packletide achieves her goal of outdoing Loona Bimberton, but it comes at a great cost, both financially and morally. The story is a satire on the vanity and competitiveness of the upper class and the exploitation of the native population.
TEXTBOOK SOLUTION
1. Why did Mrs. Packletide wish to kill a tiger?
ANS: In the short story "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H. H. Munro), Mrs. Packletide wished to kill a tiger to outdo her rival, Loona Bimberton, who had recently been carried in an aircraft for eleven miles by an Algerian aviator. Loona Bimberton's achievement had received a lot of attention, and Mrs. Packletide was jealous of her fame and sought to upstage her.
Mrs. Packletide believed that if she could kill a tiger, she would gain similar fame and admiration from her peers. She even went to great lengths to arrange the hunt, including bribing villagers to tie a goat in the tiger's path, so that the tiger would be distracted and easier to kill. However, the story takes a humorous turn when the events of the hunt don't quite go according to plan.
2. What made her decide to give a party in Loona Bimberton's honour? What did she intend to give Loona on her birthday?
ANS: In the short story "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H. H. Munro), Mrs. Packletide decided to give a party in Loona Bimberton's honor because she believed that Loona's accidental flight in an airplane had inadvertently helped Mrs. Packletide achieve her goal of killing a tiger. Mrs. Packletide thought that Loona's flight had caused the tiger to move into a more accessible location, and as a result, Mrs. Packletide was able to kill it.
Mrs. Packletide intended to give Loona a tiger-skin rug on her birthday as a gift. She thought that giving such a gift would further enhance her own reputation and show her superiority over Loona, who had not been able to accomplish such a feat herself. However, at the end of the story, it is revealed that Loona had already been given a tiger-skin rug by her own admirer, and Mrs. Packletide's plan to one-up her rival was foiled once again.
3. How was the tiger shooting arranged? What kind of a tiger was chosen for the purpose?
ANS: In the short story "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H. H. Munro), Mrs. Packletide arranged the tiger shooting by bribing the villagers to tie a goat to a tree in an area where a tiger was known to frequent. The plan was to lure the tiger into the open so that Mrs. Packletide could shoot it easily from a safe distance.
The type of tiger chosen for the purpose was an old tiger, as Mrs. Packletide thought that it would be easier to shoot and less likely to put up a fight. She also wanted to avoid any potential danger to herself during the hunt. However, despite her careful planning, the tiger did not behave as expected, and Mrs. Packletide's shot missed the tiger but killed the goat instead. The tiger then disappeared into the jungle, and Mrs. Packletide was left with a sense of disappointment and embarrassment.
4. In what way did the villagers help Mrs. Packletide shoot the tiger?
ANS: In the short story "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H.H. Munro), the villagers helped Mrs. Packletide shoot the tiger by tying a goat to a tree in an area where the tiger was known to frequent. The goat was used as bait to lure the tiger into an open area, where Mrs. Packletide could shoot it more easily.
The villagers were initially hesitant to participate in the scheme, but Mrs. Packletide offered them money and the chance to share in the glory of the hunt. In return for their assistance, she promised to give them the remains of the goat to feast on.
However, the plan did not go as expected, and instead of killing the tiger, Mrs. Packletide accidentally shot and killed the goat. The villagers were disappointed with the outcome and demanded compensation from Mrs. Packletide, who reluctantly paid them off before leaving the village in embarrassment.
5. Who was Miss Mebbin? Was she really devoted to Mrs. Packletide? How did she behave during the tiger shooting?
ANS: Miss Mebbin is a character in the short story "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H.H. Munro). She is introduced as a distant cousin of Mrs. Packletide who travels with her to India. Miss Mebbin is described as a sharp-witted, cunning woman who has a reputation for being skilled at manipulating situations to her advantage.
While Miss Mebbin pretends to be devoted to Mrs. Packletide, it becomes clear that she is more interested in furthering her own interests. She is constantly scheming and manipulating events to benefit herself, often at Mrs. Packletide's expense.
During the tiger shooting, Miss Mebbin behaves in a way that is both manipulative and self-serving. She encourages Mrs. Packletide to pursue the tiger hunt, knowing that it will benefit her own interests. However, when the tiger is finally shot and killed, Miss Mebbin quickly steps in and takes over the situation, convincing Mrs. Packletide to abandon her plans to display the tiger's head in her house and instead sell it to a taxidermist. In this way, Miss Mebbin is able to secure the tiger skin rug for herself, leaving Mrs. Packletide feeling used and taken advantage of.
6. Mrs. Packletide was a good shot. Discuss.
ANS: In the short story "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H.H. Munro), Mrs. Packletide is portrayed as a skilled and accomplished shot. She is known for her ability to hit her target accurately and with great precision.
For example, during the tiger shooting, Mrs. Packletide was able to take a successful shot at the goat tied to the tree, even though the tiger did not appear as expected. This demonstrates her skill as a sharpshooter. However, when she tried to take a shot at the tiger itself, she missed and hit the goat instead. This was due to a combination of factors, including the unexpected behavior of the tiger and Mrs. Packletide's overconfidence in her own abilities.
Despite this mistake, Mrs. Packletide's reputation as a skilled shot remains intact. Throughout the story, she is portrayed as a confident and self-assured woman who is used to getting what she wants. While her skills may not have been sufficient to bag the tiger she desired, her reputation as a skilled shot remains unchallenged, and she remains convinced of her own abilities.
7. What comment did Miss Mebbin make after Mrs Packletide had fired the shot? Why did Miss Mebbin make this comment? How did Mrs Packletide react to this comment?
ANS: In the short story "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H.H. Munro), Miss Mebbin makes a comment after Mrs. Packletide had fired the shot that missed the tiger and killed the goat instead. She says, "I think I ought to warn you, you know, that there's been a distinct change in the behaviour of the tiger."
Miss Mebbin makes this comment to deflect blame from Mrs. Packletide and avoid her becoming upset over her failure to shoot the tiger. She is trying to protect Mrs. Packletide's feelings and make her feel better about what happened. However, her comment is also somewhat deceptive because there had been no change in the tiger's behavior - it had simply not appeared as expected.
Mrs. Packletide reacts to Miss Mebbin's comment by feeling relieved that she was not being blamed for missing the tiger. She also feels grateful to Miss Mebbin for attempting to make her feel better. However, she also becomes suspicious of Miss Mebbin's motives and realizes that she may be trying to manipulate her. Ultimately, Mrs. Packletide is left feeling uneasy about the whole situation and unsure of whom to trust.
8. How did the villagers react to the tiger's death?
ANS: In the short story "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H.H. Munro), the villagers react to the tiger's death with great excitement and enthusiasm. They are eager to participate in the celebrations that Mrs. Packletide has promised them, and they view the death of the tiger as a great accomplishment.
The villagers gather around the tiger's body and begin to cheer and dance. They are amazed by the size and ferocity of the animal and are proud to have been a part of the hunt. Some of the villagers even begin to make plans for how they will spend the money that Mrs. Packletide has promised them.
Overall, the villagers are portrayed as being quite taken with Mrs. Packletide's wealth and status, and they are eager to participate in any events that she sponsors. While they may not fully understand the significance of the tiger's death, they are excited by the prospect of being included in Mrs. Packletide's lavish lifestyle.
9. Do you think Mrs. Packletide was able to achieve her heart's desire? Give reasons for your answer.
ANS: In the short story "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H.H. Munro), Mrs. Packletide was determined to kill a tiger in order to gain social status and one-up her rival Loona Bimberton. However, she ultimately fails to achieve her heart's desire.
Firstly, she is unable to actually shoot the tiger herself and ends up hitting a goat instead. This means that she is not able to claim that she killed the tiger and therefore does not receive the full amount of social status that she was hoping for.
Secondly, Miss Mebbin is able to blackmail Mrs. Packletide by threatening to reveal the truth about the tiger's death. This means that Mrs. Packletide is not able to fully enjoy her social status and is left feeling uneasy about the whole situation.
Finally, Mrs. Packletide is forced to pay a large sum of money to the villagers in order to keep them quiet about the true nature of the tiger's death. This means that she has not actually gained any real social status or admiration from others - instead, she has simply paid for it.
Overall, while Mrs. Packletide may have temporarily gained some social status and recognition from others, she ultimately fails to achieve her heart's desire of killing a tiger and gaining true admiration and respect from those around her.
10. How did Miss Mebbin manage to get her week-end cottage? Why did she plant so many tiger lilies in her garden?
ANS: In the short story "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H.H. Munro), it is not explicitly stated how Miss Mebbin managed to get her weekend cottage. However, it is implied that she has some sort of financial arrangement with Mrs. Packletide, as she is living in a cottage that is much nicer than her means would allow.
As for the tiger lilies, Miss Mebbin plants them in her garden as a way of mocking Mrs. Packletide and her obsession with killing a tiger. The tiger lilies are a reference to the tiger that Mrs. Packletide is trying to kill, and Miss Mebbin plants them in such abundance as a way of poking fun at Mrs. Packletide's ridiculous endeavor.
Miss Mebbin is portrayed as a clever and manipulative character, and she uses her wit and humor to undermine Mrs. Packletide's sense of superiority. The tiger lilies are just one example of this - they serve as a subtle reminder that Mrs. Packletide's actions are not as impressive or important as she might think.
"The incidental expenses are so heavy," she confides to inquiring friends. Who is the speaker? What is she referring to here?
The speaker in this quote is Mrs. Packletide and she is referring to the expenses incurred in her attempt to shoot a tiger in the short story "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H.H. Munro).
Mrs. Packletide has incurred a number of expenses in her quest to kill a tiger, including hiring a skilled hunter, paying for transportation to and from the location where the tiger is to be hunted, and even paying for the goat that is used as bait to lure the tiger.
Despite all of these expenses, Mrs. Packletide is ultimately unable to kill the tiger herself, and must instead rely on the hunter she has hired to do the job. This leads her to feel somewhat disappointed and embarrassed, as she had hoped to gain a great deal of social status and admiration from her peers by killing the tiger on her own.
11. Do you think the tiger shooting organized by the villagers was a serious affair? Give reasons for your answer.
ANS: In "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H.H. Munro), the tiger shooting organized by the villagers is presented as a somewhat farcical affair, rather than a serious one.
For one thing, the tiger that is chosen for the shooting is a "passive, harmless creature" that is unlikely to put up much of a fight, rather than a dangerous predator that would pose a genuine threat. This is because the villagers have been instructed by Mrs. Packletide to ensure that the tiger is not a danger to human life, so as to avoid any potential mishaps.
Additionally, the villagers themselves are portrayed as somewhat bumbling and incompetent, as they struggle to properly position the goat that will serve as bait for the tiger, and end up accidentally injuring the animal in the process. This all serves to undercut any sense of seriousness or danger that might have been associated with the tiger shooting.
Overall, it seems clear that Saki intends the tiger shooting to be viewed as a comedic spectacle rather than a genuine hunt, and the exaggerated antics of the villagers and the lack of any real danger to anyone involved serve to reinforce this.
12. Do you think the writer is trying to make fun of the main characters in the story i.e. Mrs. Packletide, Miss Mebbin and Loona Bimberton? Pick out instances from the story that point to this fact.
ANS: Yes, it is clear that the writer of "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" by Saki (H.H. Munro) is using satire and irony to poke fun at the main characters in the story, including Mrs. Packletide, Miss Mebbin, and Loona Bimberton.
One instance of this is the way in which Mrs. Packletide's obsession with killing a tiger is portrayed as foolish and misguided, rather than admirable. Her desire to shoot a tiger is motivated not by any love of hunting or desire for adventure, but rather by a desire to outdo her rival Loona Bimberton and gain social prestige. This is shown when the narrator comments that "Mrs. Packletide had offered a thousand rupees for the opportunity of shooting a tiger without over-much risk or exertion," making it clear that her motivations are more about social status than anything else.
Miss Mebbin is also presented as a somewhat ridiculous character, particularly in her obsession with obtaining a weekend cottage of her own. Her planting of tiger lilies in her garden is a clear nod to Mrs. Packletide's tiger hunt, and suggests that she is just as concerned with keeping up with social trends as Mrs. Packletide is.
Finally, Loona Bimberton is portrayed as shallow and self-absorbed, more concerned with receiving attention and admiration than anything else. Her willingness to accept Mrs. Packletide's invitation to a dinner party in her honor, despite knowing full well the true motivations behind it, speaks to her own desire for social validation.
Overall, the characters in "The Story of Mrs. Packletide" are presented in a way that is intended to be humorous and satirical, with their flaws and foibles exaggerated for comedic effect.
13. How does the writer create humor in this story?
ANS: The writer of "Mrs. Packletide's Tiger" creates humor in several ways, including the use of irony, satire, and exaggerated characters.
One example of irony in the story is the fact that Mrs. Packletide, who is obsessed with killing a tiger in order to gain social status, ends up becoming a laughingstock when it is revealed that the tiger was actually killed by someone else. This twist of fate is both unexpected and humorous, as it highlights the absurdity of Mrs. Packletide's quest for social validation through the act of tiger hunting.
Satire is also used to create humor in the story. The characters of Mrs. Packletide, Miss Mebbin, and Loona Bimberton are all exaggerated and presented as ridiculous figures, which is meant to be amusing. For example, Mrs. Packletide's obsession with killing a tiger, which is motivated by her desire to one-up Loona Bimberton, is a clear satire of the social climbing and competitive nature of British high society.
Finally, the writer uses humorous dialogue and descriptive language to create a lighthearted tone throughout the story. For example, the banter between Mrs. Packletide and Miss Mebbin about the latter's desire for a weekend cottage is amusing, as is the description of the villagers' reactions to the tiger's death. Overall, the combination of irony, satire, and humorously exaggerated characters and situations make "Mrs. Packletide's Tiger" a highly entertaining and amusing story.
14. A person who is vain is full of self importance and can only think of himself/herself and can go to great lengths to prove his/her superiority. Do you think Mrs Packletide is vain? Give reasons in support of your answer.
ANS: Yes, Mrs. Packletide is vain.
One of the most prominent examples of her vanity is her desire to shoot a tiger simply to prove to Loona Bimberton that she is superior. She is so consumed by this desire that she is willing to spend large amounts of money and travel to India, even though she has no real interest in hunting or killing a tiger.
Another example of her vanity is her desire to have the skin of the tiger made into a rug, which she plans to use to show off to her friends and impress them with her hunting prowess. This again highlights her preoccupation with impressing others and gaining social status.
Additionally, she is constantly preoccupied with her appearance and how she is perceived by others. For example, she spends a significant amount of time and money on her wardrobe and hair, and is disappointed when she realizes that her outfit for the tiger hunt is not as fashionable as she had hoped.
In short, Mrs. Packletide's actions and motivations are driven by her desire for social validation and her need to prove her superiority to others, which are clear signs of vanity.
15. Sometimes writers highlight certain negative aspects in society or human beings by making fun of it. This is called satire. In your groups discuss whether you would classify this story as a satire. Give reasons to support your answer
ANS: The story "Mrs. Packletide's Tiger" can be classified as a satire. The author uses humor and irony to criticize the vanity, materialism, and social climbing of the British upper class society in the early 20th century. The story mocks the absurd lengths to which Mrs. Packletide goes to fulfill her desire for social status and the ways in which she tries to impress her friends.
The character of Miss Mebbin, who manipulates Mrs. Packletide and takes advantage of her vanity, is also a satirical representation of the social climbers and opportunists who were prevalent in the society of that time. The portrayal of the Indian villagers as willing to go along with the farce of the tiger hunt for financial gain is also a satirical commentary on the effects of British colonialism on the Indian society.
Overall, the story satirizes the superficiality, greed, and exploitation that were prevalent in the British upper class society of the time, making it a prime example of satirical literature.
16. In groups of four construct the dialogues and enact the following situations from the story:
1. Mrs. Packletide and the headman of the village/other villagers discussing the details of the tiger shooting
Mrs. Packletide: Good morning, Headman. I would like to discuss the details of the tiger shooting with you and the other villagers.
Headman: Good morning, Mrs. Packletide. Of course, we are all excited about the tiger shooting. What do you want to know?
Mrs. Packletide: I want to make sure that everything is properly arranged. What kind of tiger will be selected for the hunt?
Villager 1: We have a very ferocious tiger that has been causing trouble in the nearby village. We thought we would select that one.
Mrs. Packletide: Excellent. And what about the location? I want it to be somewhere with a good view.
Villager 2: We have selected a spot on the hillside that overlooks the valley. It's perfect for shooting.
Mrs. Packletide: Wonderful. And what about the cost?
Headman: We have estimated the total cost to be around a thousand rupees.
Mrs. Packletide: (sighs) That's rather expensive, but I suppose it's worth it for the prestige.
Headman: Indeed, Mrs. Packletide. We will make sure that everything is arranged to your satisfaction.
Mrs. Packletide: Thank you, Headman. I'm looking forward to the hunt.
Villagers: (in unison) So are we, Mrs. Packletide. We'll make sure it's a successful one.
2. Miss Mebbin blackmailing Mrs Packletide into gifting her a cottage
Miss Mebbin: Good afternoon, Mrs. Packletide. Lovely day, isn't it?
Mrs. Packletide: Oh, hello Miss Mebbin. Yes, it's a beautiful day. What brings you here?
Miss Mebbin: Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something important. You know how much I helped you during the tiger shooting expedition?
Mrs. Packletide: Yes, of course. I appreciate your help.
Miss Mebbin: Well, I was wondering if you could do me a little favor.
Mrs. Packletide: What kind of favor?
Miss Mebbin: I have always dreamt of having a little cottage in the countryside. And since you are so rich and influential, I was hoping you could gift me one.
Mrs. Packletide: (Taken aback) What? That's preposterous! I can't just buy you a cottage.
Miss Mebbin: (Smiling slyly) Oh, come now Mrs. Packletide. You must remember how I kept quiet about your little secret during the tiger shooting.
Mrs. Packletide: (Alarmed) What secret?
Miss Mebbin: (Whispering) The fact that you didn't actually shoot the tiger. You just wounded it with your bullet, and I had to finish it off.
Mrs. Packletide: (Panicking) How did you find out?
Miss Mebbin: (Grinning) I have my ways. So, about that cottage?
Mrs. Packletide: (Sighing) Fine, I'll see what I can do. But you can't tell anyone about this.
Miss Mebbin: (Smirking) My lips are sealed. Thank you, Mrs. Packletide. You won't regret this.
3. Loona Bimberton and a lady-friend discussing Mrs Packletide's hunting success
Loona Bimberton: Oh my dear, have you heard of Mrs. Packletide's latest hunting success?
Lady-friend: No, please tell me all about it.
Loona Bimberton: She has shot a tiger in India, dear. It's quite an achievement.
Lady-friend: How thrilling! She must be very proud of herself.
Loona Bimberton: Of course, she is. And she has arranged a party in her own honor. She's invited everyone, including me.
Lady-friend: That's quite a celebration. What will you give her as a gift?
Loona Bimberton: Oh, I haven't decided yet. But I must admit, I am rather envious of her success.
16. Years later Mrs. Packletide writes her autobiography. As Mrs. Packletide, write about the tiger episode with the help of the clues given below.
jealous of the applause Loona was getting-thought of tiger hunt--all arranged-- Louisa Mebbin accompanied; turned out to be a blackmailer-huge price to pay to outdo a rival
ANS: As I sit down to pen my memoirs, I am reminded of the incident that brought me both fame and infamy - the tiger episode.
It all began with my jealousy towards Loona Bimberton, who was receiving far too much applause for her recent balloon ride. I couldn't stand the idea of her hogging the limelight any longer, and so I concocted a plan to outdo her.
The idea of tiger hunting occurred to me, and I went about arranging the whole affair. I was convinced that this would be the ultimate achievement, which would put me in the spotlight and earn me the much-needed admiration and respect.
Louisa Mebbin, whom I had believed to be a loyal friend, accompanied me on the hunt. But it turned out that she was a blackmailer, who had her sights set on extracting a huge price from me to keep quiet about the truth of the hunt.
Looking back, I realize that my foolish obsession with outdoing a rival led me to make poor choices that I now regret. But I cannot deny that the thrill of the hunt and the sense of accomplishment it gave me were exhilarating.
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