Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger by Saki (Hector Hugh Munro)

  

Quick Notes for Revision- Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger

 Introduction to the author - Saki (Hector Hugh Munro):

1. Pen Name and Identity:

·         Hector Hugh Munro, born on December 18, 1870, was a British author known for his    wit and humour.

·         He published under the pen name “Saki” or “H.H. Munro.”

·     The origin of the pen name remains a mystery, possibly inspired by a character in a poem or a South American monkey, reflecting his mischievous and intellectual nature.

2. Short Story Master:

·         Munro, writing as Saki, was a master of the short story form.

·    His style is often compared to that of renowned authors like O. Henry and Dorothy Parker, characterized by its sardonic humour and clever observations.

·         E.F. Benson also shares a similar sardonic style with him.

3. Early Life:

·         Munro was born in Akyab, Burma (now Myanmar), in 1870.

·       Tragedy struck when, in 1872, his mother Mary was charged by a cow while on a trip to England.

·          This incident led to a miscarriage, and she never recovered, passing away when Munro was just two years old.

4. Upbringing in England:

·         After his mother’s death, Munro and his siblings were sent back to England, where they lived with their strict, puritanical grandmother and aunts.

·         This upbringing would later influence his satirical writing.

5. Career in India and Burma:

·         Munro began his career as a police officer in India and was later posted to Burma.

·   Unfortunately, he contracted malaria during his time there, prompting his return to England in 1895.

6. World War I:

·    When World War I erupted, Munro refused a commission and enlisted in the British armed forces as a regular trooper.

·       He saw action and was tragically killed in action by a German sniper during the Battle of Ancre.

·         His reported last words were, “Put that bloody cigarette out!”

7. Personal Life and Sexuality:

·         Munro never married, and there has been speculation about his sexuality.

·    However, homosexuality was a criminal offense in Britain during his lifetime, and societal norms of the era required him to keep such aspects of his life hidden.

8. Satirical Style:

·    Munro had a penchant for satirizing the popular customs and manners of Edwardian England.

·    He often contrasted human behaviour with the natural world, demonstrating that the straightforward rules of nature would always prevail over human vanities.

9. Notable Works:

·  Two of Munro’s best-known stories, “The Interlopers” and “The Open Window,” exemplify his style.

·      In these tales, he skillfully portrays the clash between human behaviour and the forces of nature.

10. Legacy:

·  Hector Hugh Munro’s life was tragically cut short, but his works continue to be appreciated for their sharp wit and satirical insights.

·         His writings remain relevant and are celebrated as classics of British literature.

Summary “Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger” by Saki

1. Mrs. Packletide is envious of Loona Bimberton’s recent fame, as Loona had gone to Africa to hunt a tiger in an airplane. Mrs. Packletide wants to outdo her by hunting a tiger herself and gaining attention through photographs in newspapers.
2. To achieve her goal, Mrs. Packletide plans to organize a lunch party in Loona’s honour but secretly intends to display her tiger skin and show her up.
3. She offers a reward of a thousand rupees to anyone who can arrange an easily shootable tiger. The villagers eagerly prepare an old, sickly tiger and set up favorable conditions for her to hunt it.
4. On the night of the shoot, Mrs. Packletide and her companion, Miss Mebbin, hide on a platform. They use a goat as bait to attract the tiger.
5. When Mrs. Packletide fires her gun, the tiger appears to drop dead. The villagers celebrate her success.
6. Miss Mebbin realizes that the tiger actually died from the shock of the gunshot, not the gunshot itself. The bullet killed the goat instead.
7. Mrs. Packletide doesn’t care about the truth as she obtains the tiger skin she wanted. The villagers don’t object either, as they want the reward money. Newspapers publish Mrs. Packletide’s photos, and she gains fame, overshadowing Loona.
8. Miss Mebbin, a greedy woman, threatens to reveal the secret to Loona, claiming that the bullet killed the goat, not the tiger. She demands money to buy a weekend cottage.
9. Mrs. Packletide pays Miss Mebbin £680 as hush money to protect her reputation.
10. Mrs. Packletide ultimately gives up hunting due to the added expenses and complications involved in maintaining her newfound reputation.

:

1. Pen Name and Identity:

·         Hector Hugh Munro, born on December 18, 1870, was a British author known for his wit and humour.

·         He published under the pen name “Saki” or “H.H. Munro.”

·         The origin of the pen name remains a mystery, possibly inspired by a character in a poem or a South American monkey, reflecting his mischievous and intellectual nature.

2. Short Story Master:

·         Munro, writing as Saki, was a master of the short story form.

·         His style is often compared to that of renowned authors like O. Henry and Dorothy Parker, characterized by its sardonic humour and clever observations.

·         E.F. Benson also shares a similar sardonic style with him.

3. Early Life:

·         Munro was born in Akyab, Burma (now Myanmar), in 1870.

·         Tragedy struck when, in 1872, his mother Mary was charged by a cow while on a trip to England.

·          This incident led to a miscarriage, and she never recovered, passing away when Munro was just two years old.

4. Upbringing in England:

·         After his mother’s death, Munro and his siblings were sent back to England, where they lived with their strict, puritanical grandmother and aunts.

·         This upbringing would later influence his satirical writing.

5. Career in India and Burma:

·         Munro began his career as a police officer in India and was later posted to Burma.

·         Unfortunately, he contracted malaria during his time there, prompting his return to England in 1895.

6. World War I:

·         When World War I erupted, Munro refused a commission and enlisted in the British armed forces as a regular trooper.

·          He saw action and was tragically killed in action by a German sniper during the Battle of Ancre.

·         His reported last words were, “Put that bloody cigarette out!”

7. Personal Life and Sexuality:

·         Munro never married, and there has been speculation about his sexuality.

·          However, homosexuality was a criminal offense in Britain during his lifetime, and societal norms of the era required him to keep such aspects of his life hidden.

8. Satirical Style:

·         Munro had a penchant for satirizing the popular customs and manners of Edwardian England.

·         He often contrasted human behaviour with the natural world, demonstrating that the straightforward rules of nature would always prevail over human vanities.

9. Notable Works:

·         Two of Munro’s best-known stories, “The Interlopers” and “The Open Window,” exemplify his style.

·         In these tales, he skillfully portrays the clash between human behaviour and the forces of nature.

10. Legacy:

·         Hector Hugh Munro’s life was tragically cut short, but his works continue to be appreciated for their sharp wit and satirical insights.

·         His writings remain relevant and are celebrated as classics of British literature.

Summary “Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger” by Saki

1. Mrs. Packletide is envious of Loona Bimberton’s recent fame, as Loona had gone to Africa to hunt a tiger in an airplane. Mrs. Packletide wants to outdo her by hunting a tiger herself and gaining attention through photographs in newspapers.
2. To achieve her goal, Mrs. Packletide plans to organize a lunch party in Loona’s honour but secretly intends to display her tiger skin and show her up.
3. She offers a reward of a thousand rupees to anyone who can arrange an easily shootable tiger. The villagers eagerly prepare an old, sickly tiger and set up favorable conditions for her to hunt it.
4. On the night of the shoot, Mrs. Packletide and her companion, Miss Mebbin, hide on a platform. They use a goat as bait to attract the tiger.
5. When Mrs. Packletide fires her gun, the tiger appears to drop dead. The villagers celebrate her success.
6. Miss Mebbin realizes that the tiger actually died from the shock of the gunshot, not the gunshot itself. The bullet killed the goat instead.
7. Mrs. Packletide doesn’t care about the truth as she obtains the tiger skin she wanted. The villagers don’t object either, as they want the reward money. Newspapers publish Mrs. Packletide’s photos, and she gains fame, overshadowing Loona.
8. Miss Mebbin, a greedy woman, threatens to reveal the secret to Loona, claiming that the bullet killed the goat, not the tiger. She demands money to buy a weekend cottage.
9. Mrs. Packletide pays Miss Mebbin £680 as hush money to protect her reputation.
10. Mrs. Packletide ultimately gives up hunting due to the added expenses and complications involved in maintaining her newfound reputation.