Pride goes before a fall. Discuss reference with Mrs Packletide’s Tiger?

Mrs Packletide’s Tiger is a short story written by Saki. The story beautifully depicts the theme of pride goes before a fall. This saying is an old proverb that means that if one is too proud or overconfident, they will likely experience a setback or failure. In the story, Mrs Packletide is an example of this, as her pride and overconfidence eventually lead to her downfall.

Overview of the story

Mrs Packletide, a wealthy woman, is envious of her friend Loona Bimberton's tigerskin rug. She decides to shoot a tiger herself, and offers to finance a hunting trip for a young man named Loamshire. Mrs Packletide is not particularly interested in the hunting experience but only wants to have her picture in the newspaper with the dead tiger to outdo Loona Bimberton. She finally succeeds in killing a tiger but only after paying someone to tie it to a tree so that she could shoot it. However, her plan fails when the tiger falls on a native woman and kills her. Mrs Packletide is left to face the consequences of her actions.

Pride and overconfidence of Mrs Packletide

Mrs Packletide’s pride and overconfidence are evident throughout the story. She is eager to outdo her friend Loona Bimberton and is willing to spend a considerable amount of money to do so. She is also overconfident in her ability to shoot a tiger, despite having no previous hunting experience. She is not interested in the thrill of the hunt but only wants to have her picture in the newspaper.

The fall of Mrs Packletide

Mrs Packletide's pride and overconfidence ultimately lead to her downfall. Her plan to shoot a tiger and have her picture in the newspaper backfires when the tiger falls on a native woman and kills her. Mrs Packletide is left to face the consequences of her actions, and her reputation is ruined. Her pride and overconfidence blinded her to the potential dangers of her plan, and she ultimately paid the price for it.

Conclusion

The story of Mrs Packletide’s Tiger illustrates how pride and overconfidence can lead to a person's downfall. Mrs Packletide’s desire to outdo her friend and her overconfidence in her ability to hunt a tiger blinded her to the potential dangers of her plan. As a result, she faced serious consequences that ultimately ruined her reputation. The story serves as a cautionary tale for those who let their pride and overconfidence lead them astray.