Do you think Mrs. Packletide was able to achieve her heart's desire? Give reasons for your answer.

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Solution

At the very beginning of the story it is made clear that Mrs. Packletide had made up her mind to shoot a tiger and get her pictures published in newspapers to show off to Loona Bimberton. She managed to shoot an animal, the goat. The tiger died of heart-failure. She, however, got her pictures with the dead tiger published in the newspapers. She also gifted a tiger-claw brooch to Loona Bimberton. She also hosted a luncheon party for Loona Bimberton which the latter declined to attend. Thus Mrs. Packletide achieved what her heart desired.

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Answer the following questions in your own words:

(a) Why did Mrs. Packletide wish to kill a tiger?

(b) What made her decide to give a party in Loona Bimberton's honour? What did she intend to give Loona on her birthday?

(d) In what way did the villagers help Mrs. Packletide shoot the tiger?

(e) Who was Miss Mebbin? Was she really devoted to Mrs. Packletide? How did she behave during the tiger shooting?

(f) Mrs. Packletide was a good shot. Discuss.

(g) 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?

(h) How did the villagers react to the tiger's death?

(i) Do you think Mrs. Packletide was able to achieve her heart's desire? Give reasons for your answer.

(j) How did Miss Mebbin manage to get her week-end cottage? Why did she plant so many tiger lilies in her garden?

(k) "The incidental expenses are so heavy," she confides to inquiring friends. Who is the speaker? What is she referring to here?

Discuss the following questions in detail and write the answers in your notebooks:

(a) Do you think the tiger shooting organized by the villagers was a serious affair?

Give reasons for your answer.

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) 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

(e) How does the writer create humor in this story?

Do you think the atmosphere of Mr Purcell’s shop was cheerful or depressing? Give reasons for your answer.

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