Fur By Saki Question Answer
Question 1 What is the theme or the main message of the story?
Answer : The short story “Fur” by Saki (H.H. Munro) explores themes of social class, materialism, and the superficiality of appearances. The main message revolves around the idea that social status and outward appearances can be deceiving. In the story, the protagonist, a young woman, initially judges a man by his appearance and his shabby fur coat. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that appearances are not always an accurate reflection of one’s true nature or social standing. The story highlights the irony and hypocrisy often present in society’s judgments based on material possessions and external factors.
Question 2 What is Fur by Saki about?
Answer : “Fur” by Saki is a satirical short story that critiques social attitudes and class distinctions. The story revolves around a young woman, Mrs. Packletide, who is determined to outshine her social rival, Loona Bimberton. To achieve this, Mrs. Packletide decides to shoot a tiger, intending to use the tiger’s skin as a display of her bravery and status.
The story takes a twist when it is revealed that Mrs. Packletide’s attempt to shoot the tiger was not as glamorous as it seemed. She ends up inadvertently killing a goat instead, and the tiger’s skin she acquires is actually that of a goat, which is then cleverly used to mock her pretense. Through this humorous and ironic tale, Saki exposes the absurdity of social pretensions and the lengths people go to maintain or enhance their social status.
Question 3 What does the fur symbolize in the story?
Answer : In Saki’s “Fur,” the fur symbolizes social status and pretension. The fur coat represents the protagonist Mrs. Packletide’s attempt to elevate her social standing and outshine her rival, Loona Bimberton. The story uses the fur as a symbol of superficiality and the lengths to which individuals will go to maintain or enhance their social image. The ironic twist that the fur is not from a tiger but from a goat highlights the futility and deceit underlying social status and material possessions. It underscores how appearances can be deceiving and critiques the superficial nature of societal values.
Question 4 Who is Bertram in Fur?
Answer : In Saki’s “Fur,” Bertram is a minor character who serves as Mrs. Packletide’s secretary. He is depicted as someone who is rather indifferent and somewhat clueless about the true nature of Mrs. Packletide’s social machinations. His role is mostly functional, aiding Mrs. Packletide in her endeavors, but he doesn’t play a central role in the story’s plot or themes. His presence adds to the satirical portrayal of the social circle and the characters within it.
Question 5 Who is the little girl in the Saki story?
Answer : In Saki’s “Fur,” the little girl is a character named Miss Mebbin. She is the maid or servant of Mrs. Packletide. Her role becomes significant towards the end of the story when it is revealed that she has been instrumental in the plot’s outcome. Miss Mebbin is depicted as a sharp and opportunistic character who sees through Mrs. Packletide’s pretensions and takes advantage of the situation for her own benefit. Her involvement adds an additional layer of irony to the story, highlighting the theme of deceit and superficiality.
Question 6 What is Saki’s writing style in reference to his short story Fur?
Answer : Saki’s writing style in “Fur” is characterized by his trademark wit, irony, and satirical sharpness. Here are key elements of his style in the story:
- Irony: Saki uses irony to expose the pretentiousness and superficiality of his characters, particularly Mrs. Packletide. The story’s twist—where Mrs. Packletide’s attempt to show off by killing a tiger ends in an ironic anticlimax—demonstrates his skillful use of irony.
- Satire: The story satirizes social pretensions and the obsession with social status. Saki critiques the lengths people will go to in order to impress others and maintain their social standing.
- Humor: Saki’s use of humor is evident throughout the story, with clever dialogue and situations that reveal the absurdity of the characters’ actions and motivations.
- Conciseness: Saki’s prose is succinct and efficient, often packing a lot of meaning and critique into a short narrative. This concise style helps maintain the story’s brisk pace and impact.
- Characterization: Saki’s characters are vividly drawn, often exaggerated to highlight their flaws and social ambitions. This characterization serves to amplify the satirical elements of the story.
Overall, Saki’s style in “Fur” combines sharp irony, biting satire, and a keen sense of humor to critique social norms and the quest for status.
Question 7 What type of writer was Saki?
Answer : Saki, the pen name of Hector Hugh Munro, was known for his distinctive style as a writer of short stories. Here are some key aspects of his writing:
- Satirical: Saki is renowned for his satirical approach, often using his stories to critique and lampoon social conventions, class distinctions, and the superficiality of Edwardian society.
- Witty: His writing is characterized by sharp wit and a keen sense of irony. Saki’s stories frequently feature clever dialogue and situations that reveal the absurdities of his characters’ behaviors and societal norms.
- Biting Humor: Saki employed biting humor to expose the flaws and pretensions of his characters. His stories often contain unexpected twists and darkly comic elements.
- Concise and Pithy: Saki’s stories are known for their brevity and directness. He had a talent for packing a significant amount of meaning and commentary into a relatively short narrative.
- Dark and Cynical: Many of his stories reflect a dark, sometimes cynical view of human nature and societal values, often using irony and surprise endings to deliver his critique.
Overall, Saki was a master of the short story form, using satire, wit, and humor to offer sharp observations on society and human behavior.
Question 8 What are fur parents?
Answer : In Saki’s short story “Fur,” the term “fur parents” is used to refer to the family who owns the goat that Mrs. Packletide mistakenly kills instead of a tiger. The phrase is not a common term but is used in the story to describe the goat’s owners in a somewhat humorous and ironic way. It highlights Saki’s use of satire to comment on the social pretensions and the absurdity of the characters’ concerns. The idea is to mock the way people might trivialize or romanticize their possessions or status, extending even to how they view their animals.
Question 9 Why was Suzanne so upset in the story Fur?
Answer : In Saki’s “Fur,” Suzanne, the little girl, is upset because the fur coat she had been promised as a reward for a specific act is not what she expected. The story reveals that Mrs. Packletide had killed a goat instead of a tiger and had the goat’s fur made into a coat. Suzanne’s distress comes from the realization that the coat, which she had hoped would be a glamorous and impressive trophy, is actually a deceitful and shabby substitute. This twist in the story emphasizes the themes of deception and the absurdity of social pretensions.
Question 10 What is the point of Fur?
Answer : The point of Saki’s “Fur” is to satirize the social pretensions and superficiality of Edwardian society. The story critiques the lengths to which individuals will go to maintain or enhance their social status and the often absurd nature of these efforts.
Here are key points the story addresses:
- Social Pretensions: The story highlights the vanity and superficiality of those who are obsessed with social status. Mrs. Packletide’s attempt to kill a tiger for status symbolically represents how people often go to great lengths to impress others.
- Deception and Irony: Saki uses irony to expose the gap between appearances and reality. The twist that the fur coat is made from a goat rather than a tiger underscores the deception behind social posturing and the ineffectiveness of such attempts at grandeur.
- Critique of Materialism: The story mocks the obsession with material possessions and status symbols. Mrs. Packletide’s focus on acquiring a fur coat to impress her social rival reveals the absurdity of valuing material symbols over genuine personal qualities.
Overall, “Fur” is a sharp critique of societal norms and the preoccupation with social status, using humor and irony to deliver its message.
Question 11 What is the concept of Fur?
Answer : In Saki’s short story “The Storyteller,” the message revolves around the value of storytelling and the nature of good versus bad stories. Here are the key elements of the message:
- The Power of Storytelling: The story highlights the impact that a compelling story can have, especially in engaging and entertaining an audience. The story contrasts the mundane and uninspiring tales of the aunt with the captivating and imaginative story told by the bachelor.
- Subverting Expectations: Saki uses the story to subvert traditional expectations of moralistic or didactic tales. The bachelor’s story, which is unconventional and ends with a surprising twist, challenges the conventional norms of storytelling and emphasizes the importance of creativity and originality.
- Critique of Conventional Morality: The story also critiques the conventional morality often found in children’s tales. The bachelor’s story, which is much more engaging and imaginative than the aunt’s, suggests that rigid moral lessons are less effective than stories that entertain and captivate.
Overall, Saki’s message in “The Storyteller” underscores the importance of engaging storytelling and the value of creativity over conventional morality in capturing the audience’s interest.
Question 12 What is the climax of a story?
Answer : In Saki’s “Fur,” the climax occurs when Mrs. Packletide discovers that the tiger skin she has proudly acquired is actually the fur of a goat. This revelation happens after she has gone to great lengths, including shooting the goat (mistaking it for a tiger), to impress her social rival, Loona Bimberton.
The climax is the turning point in the story where the central conflict—Mrs. Packletide’s attempt to elevate her social status and impress others—reaches its peak. It is at this moment that the true nature of her actions is revealed, highlighting the irony and absurdity of her efforts. This realization marks the culmination of the story’s satirical critique of social pretensions and materialism.
Question 13 What is the central theme of a story?
Answer : The central theme of Saki’s “Fur” is the critique of social pretensions and superficiality. The story satirizes the lengths to which individuals will go to enhance their social status and the absurdity of valuing material symbols over genuine qualities.
Key aspects of the theme include:
- Social Pretensions: The story exposes the vanity and superficiality of those obsessed with social status. Mrs. Packletide’s elaborate scheme to kill a tiger for a fur coat reflects her desire to impress her social rival and elevate her standing.
- Deception and Irony: The revelation that the fur coat is actually from a goat, not a tiger, highlights the deception behind social posturing and the irony of Mrs. Packletide’s efforts. It underscores how appearances can be misleading and how attempts to project a certain image can backfire.
- Materialism: The story mocks the obsession with material possessions and status symbols, emphasizing the futility and absurdity of such pursuits. Mrs. Packletide’s focus on acquiring the fur coat to impress others reveals the shallow nature of her ambitions.
Overall, the central theme of “Fur” is a satirical examination of societal values and the lengths people go to in order to maintain or enhance their social image.
Question 14 What is the plot in a story?
Answer : In Saki’s “Fur,” the plot centers around Mrs. Packletide’s attempt to elevate her social status through a dramatic and ultimately comical act. Here’s a summary of the plot:
- Introduction: Mrs. Packletide, eager to outshine her social rival Loona Bimberton, decides to shoot a tiger and have its fur made into a coat. She believes that this act will enhance her social standing and impress her peers.
- Rising Action: Mrs. Packletide arranges a tiger hunt, but her plan goes awry. During the hunt, she ends up accidentally killing a goat instead of a tiger. Despite the mishap, she still acquires the goat’s fur, which is made into a coat.
- Climax: The climax of the story occurs when it is revealed that the fur coat Mrs. Packletide proudly displays is actually made from the fur of the goat, not a tiger. This revelation occurs amidst the high society’s admiration of the supposed trophy.
- Falling Action: The truth about the coat becomes known, and Mrs. Packletide’s attempt to impress others backfires. The irony of the situation is further underscored by the fact that her actions were in vain.
- Resolution: The story concludes with a satirical twist. Mrs. Packletide’s efforts to gain social prestige are mocked, and the superficial nature of social status and material possessions is exposed. The satire highlights the futility of her attempts and the absurdity of societal values.
Overall, the plot of “Fur” revolves around Mrs. Packletide’s misguided attempt to boost her social image through a grand gesture that ultimately reveals the hollow nature of such pursuits.
Question 15 What is the central idea of the story Fur by Saki?
Answer :The central idea of Saki’s “Fur” is a satirical critique of social pretensions and the obsession with social status. The story highlights the lengths to which individuals will go to impress others and maintain or enhance their social standing, often resulting in irony and absurdity.
Key aspects of the central idea include:
- Social Pretensions: The story exposes the superficial nature of social status and how individuals like Mrs. Packletide will go to great lengths—such as killing a tiger (or rather, a goat)—to project an image of grandeur and success.
- Irony and Deception: Saki uses irony to underscore the gap between appearances and reality. The twist that Mrs. Packletide’s fur coat is actually from a goat, not a tiger, reveals the deception behind her social maneuvering and the futility of her efforts.
- Materialism: The story critiques the obsession with material symbols and status. It mocks the way society values outward appearances and possessions over genuine qualities and achievements.
Overall, the central idea of “Fur” is to satirize the superficiality and absurdity of societal values and the pursuit of social prestige.
Question 16 What is the significance of the title Fur?
Answer : The title “Fur” in Saki’s story is significant for several reasons:
- Symbol of Social Status: The fur represents Mrs. Packletide’s attempt to elevate her social standing. Her goal is to acquire a prestigious tiger skin, a symbol of wealth and status, to impress her social rival and society at large.
- Irony and Deception: The title reflects the central irony of the story. The fur coat, which Mrs. Packletide flaunts as a trophy of her bravery and high status, is actually made from the fur of a goat, not a tiger. This twist highlights the deception and superficiality behind her social posturing.
- Materialism: The title underscores the materialistic nature of Mrs. Packletide’s actions. The focus on the fur symbolizes the obsession with material possessions and outward appearances, critiquing how society values these over genuine character or achievement.
- Satirical Element: The title also emphasizes the satirical tone of the story. By focusing on the fur, Saki highlights the absurd lengths to which people will go to achieve social prestige and the triviality of their pursuits.
Overall, the title “Fur” encapsulates the story’s themes of social pretension, deception, and materialism, using the fur as a central symbol to critique societal values.
Question 17 Who is Bertram married to?
Answer : In Saki’s “Fur,” Bertram is married to Miss Mebbin. Miss Mebbin is Mrs. Packletide’s maid who plays a key role in the story’s plot. Her character is significant because she is involved in the deception surrounding the fur coat and the aftermath of Mrs. Packletide’s failed attempt to impress others.
Question 18 Why is Saki called Saki?
Answer : Saki, the pen name of Hector Hugh Munro, adopted the name “Saki” from a character in the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, a famous Persian poem. The name “Saki” refers to a cupbearer or wine server in Persian literature, symbolizing someone who offers pleasure or entertainment. Munro chose this pen name to reflect his literary style and persona, which often involved wit, satire, and a touch of the whimsical. The choice of name aligns with his playful and critical approach to writing, especially in his short stories.
Question 19 Who killed Saki?
Answer : Saki (Hector Hugh Munro) was killed by a sniper during World War I. He was serving as a soldier in the trenches and was fatally shot while fighting on the Western Front in 1916. His death was a tragic loss to literature, as he was a prominent and talented writer known for his sharp wit and satire.
Question 20 Is Saki a boy or a girl?
Answer : Saki, the pen name of Hector Hugh Munro, was a male writer. Despite the name “Saki” which might sound ambiguous, Saki was a man known for his sharp wit and satirical writing. His stories, including “Fur,” often feature complex characters and social critique.
Question 21 What is Saki’s message in The Storyteller?
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Question 22 What elements are Saki’s stories known for?
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Question 23 What is the style of Saki?
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Question 24 Who appears to be the true friend in Fur by Saki?
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Question 25 What is the plot of the story Fur by Saki?
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Question 26 What is the English name of Saki?
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