Chapter 2: Mrs. Packletide's Tiger - Summary and Analysis

Mrs. Packletide's Tiger is a humorous short story written by Saki (H.H. Munro). It revolves around the character of Mrs. Packletide, who is determined to gain fame by shooting a tiger in India. The story satirizes the vanity, jealousy, and shallow desires of the upper-class society.

Summary:
The story begins with Mrs. Packletide expressing her envy of her friend, Loona Bimberton, who has recently been praised for flying in an airplane with an Algerian aviator. In an attempt to outdo her, Mrs. Packletide decides to shoot a tiger and arrange for a photograph with the dead animal.

With the help of a professional hunter, Mrs. Packletide captures a tiger that has been known to terrorize a village. However, she doesn't shoot it herself but instead coerces the hunter to do so. The villagers are relieved, and the news of her successful hunt spreads.

Mrs. Packletide's plan to gain fame becomes complicated when the village girl who was present during the hunt reveals that Mrs. Packletide did not actually shoot the tiger. In order to maintain her reputation, Mrs. Packletide agrees to pay the girl a thousand rupees for her silence.

To further enhance her reputation, Mrs. Packletide plans to display the tiger's skin in her drawing-room. However, it turns out to be too large for the space, and she decides to make a rug out of it instead.

The story ends with the introduction of a new fashion trend called "tiger skin rugs," which becomes popular among the upper-class society. Mrs. Packletide's desire for fame and recognition is ultimately fulfilled, albeit through a series of comical and ironic events.

Analysis:
- Satire of Vanity: The story satirizes the vanity and shallow desires of the upper-class society. Mrs. Packletide's need to outdo her friend and gain fame highlights the absurdity of their competitive nature.
- Irony: The story is filled with irony, as Mrs. Packletide's plan to shoot a tiger and gain fame backfires. Instead of being praised for her bravery, she is exposed for not shooting the tiger herself and has to pay off a villager to maintain her reputation.
- Symbolism: The tiger symbolizes Mrs. Packletide's desire for prestige and social recognition. However, it also represents the consequences of her actions and the unexpected turns of events.
- Humor: Saki uses humor to highlight the absurdity of Mrs. Packletide's actions and the superficial nature of her pursuit of fame. The comical situations and ironic twists add to the overall entertainment value of the story.

Overall, Mrs. Packletide's Tiger is a satirical and humorous story that critiques the vanity and shallow desires of the upper-class society. Through its witty narrative and ironic twists, it provides a comical commentary on the pursuit of fame and recognition.